Avani Lekhara becomes first Indian woman to win 2 medals in Paralympics
In fact, Avani is the first Indian ever post-Independence to win more than one medal from an Olympic Games edition, both able-bodied and Para.
Published Date - 3 September 2021, 02:53 PM
Navi Mumbai: India’s Avani Lekhara created history in Indian sport by becoming the first woman to win two or more medals at a single Paralympic Games. In bagging bronze in her pet event, the women’s 50m Rifle Prone 3 Positions SH1 in Tokyo on Friday, the 19-year-old trainee of Olympian and Arjuna awardee shooter, Suma Shooter at Lakshya Shooting Club in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, became the second from India to bag at least two medals from the same Paralympics edition.
In fact, Avani is the first Indian ever post-Independence to win more than one medal from an Olympic Games edition, both able-bodied and Para. The only athlete representing India to win more than one medal at the Olympics was Norman Pritchard, the British-Indian who won 200m silver and 200m hurdles silver at the 1900 Paris Games.
Avani’s second medal in Tokyo is also India’s third from the shooting range and 12th overall.
On Friday, Avani climbed from sixth position at one stage to finish third in the finals with 445.9 points behind China’s Cuiping Zhang of China (457.9, a Paralympic Record) and Germany’s Natasha Hiltrop (457.1).
Soon after her bronze medal finish, Avani was the cynosure of all in Tokyo as everyone at the shooting range greeted her for her feat. Talking from Tokyo, Avani said: “It is an amazing experience to win two medals in my first Paralympic Games. These two are my pet events. I was really working hard for these two for so many months. I gave my 100% in the last shot.”
When asked what she felt about becoming the first Indian ever to win two medals at a single Olympic/Paralympic Games, Avani said: “It feels very nice. I want to thank all for the loving support I have been receiving for the last few days. I could not reply to each and every one of them for their lovely messages. I have been preparing for this medal today. Thank you very much.”
Her coach Suma said from Tokyo: “I am very very happy with her win today, especially with her qualification. She shot her personal best score, which is also a World Record. Her score of 1176 is phenomenal. I am extremely happy for Avani and finishing with a medal, you cannot ask for more. And to win her second second medal at the Paralympics, that makes everything worth it. I am so very happy.”
Only once before has an Indian athlete won multiple medals at the Paralympics. Joginder Singh Bedi won a silver in men’s shot put and a bronze each in discus throw and javelin at the 1984 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles.
Avani, on August 30, became the first Indian woman to win a Paralympics gold by triumphing in the 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 with a world record equalling score of 249.6 points.
Taking part in her third of four events at the Paralympics, Avani finished second in the qualification rounds on Friday morning with a Qualification World Record (QWR) score of 1176 including 51 inner 10s. Avani’s 1176 bettered the earlier QWR of 1175 by Sweden’s Anna Normann set in Osijek in July 2019. Incidentally, in Friday’s qualification rounds, Anna topped the list with 1177 including 48 inner 10s.
Following her gold in 10m Air Rifle Standing on August 30, Avani finished 27th in the qualification rounds in her second event at the Games, the 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1, on September 1. Her fourth and final event at the Games is on September 5, the Mixed 50m Rifle Prone SH1.