Shooter Avani Lekhara has scripted history as she won India's first medal in shooting at the Tokyo Paralympics in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event on Monday.
Lekhara won the gold medal with a total score of 249.6 in the final, equalling the world record. This is India's fourth medal at the Tokyo Paralympic Games so far.
China's Cuiping Zhang won silver with 248.9 and Ukraine's Iryna Shchetnik took bronze with a total of 227.5. The 19 year old was India's first para gold in shooting at the Games and she equalled Iryna Shchetnik world record that was set in 2018. Lekhara also became the first Indian woman to win a gold at the Paralympics. Congratulatory messages poured in for Lekhara with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the way.
"Phenomenal performance @AvaniLekhara! Congratulations on winning a hard-earned and well-deserved Gold, made possible due to your industrious nature and passion towards shooting. This is truly a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes for your future endeavours," tweeted PM Modi.
Phenomenal performance @AvaniLekhara! Congratulations on winning a hard-earned and well-deserved Gold, made possible due to your industrious nature and passion towards shooting. This is truly a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes for your future endeavours.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 30, 2021
Lekhara became the fourth Indian athlete to win a godl medal at the Paralympics after swimmer Murlikant Petkar in 1972, javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia in 2004 and 2006 and high jumper Thangavelu Mariyappan in 2016.
Shooters are able to hold a gun with arms in the SH1 Rifle category. Athletes have an impairment in their legs as some athletes compete in a seated position while others compete in a standing position.