First Female Player to Win Gold Medal in Paralympics

For any human being, their biggest weakness is to consider themself helpless. If confidence and courage are firm, then no situation can force you.

If there is firmness in intentions, even physical disability does not become a stone on the way. Who is really handicapped? One who is of a perverted mind or who is physically weak or limbless.

It was a day in February 2012, when she was traveling from her residence in Jaipur to Dhaulpur with her family when a car accident took place. Father-daughter suffered injuries, the father recovered after a few days but she remained in the hospital for three months and the 11-year-old daughter was unable to stand and walk due to a spinal injury. Those days she used to feel very depressed.

Nine years later, 20-year-old Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal, winning the 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event in Tokyo.

Due to injuries in a car accident, she had to resort to a wheelchair, but by winning two medals including gold in shooting at the Paralympic Games, she proved that any success can be achieved with high spirits and the spirit of never giving up.

Avani Lekhara shot a total of 249.6 in the event, setting a new Paralympic Games record. She equaled the record held by Ukraine's Irina Shatnik.

Si Zhang of China won the silver medal with a score of 248.9, while Ukraine's Irina Skhetnik won the bronze with a score of 227.5.

Avani Lekhara had finished 7th in the qualification round of the event. In the final, she performed brilliantly and won gold by defeating Zhang on the basis of her accurate marks.

Avani Lekhara has been selected for the Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian award, on 25 January 2022.

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Birth and Early Life

Avni Lekhra was born on 8 November 2001 in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Her father's name is Praveen Lekhara and his mother's name is Shweta Lekhara.

She completed her schooling in a private school in her village. She has been hardworking and talented since childhood. She is getting her college education from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. She wanted to become a lawyer, so she opted for LLB.

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When choosing Shooting

Avani Lekhara was despondent and depressed after the 2012 car accident. She thought herself helpless and locked herself in her room. After the continuous efforts of the parents, a new self-confidence was created in them.

Her father brought her the biography of Abhinav Bindra. This aroused her interest in shooting and she started practicing at the shooting range located near the house.

Her father inspired her towards sports. In the beginning, she tried both shooting and bow and arrow. But she found shooting more fun and chose shooting.

She started giving her 100% in practicing as per the instructions of her coach, then what was it, she kept getting success.

She started shooting in 2015 after being inspired by former Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra. And since then has won many national and international titles.

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Sports Life

Avani Lekhara won the bronze medal in the National Paralympic Shooting Championship in the year 2015.

She targeted gold in the 2017 Nationals.

Avani Lekhra won the silver medal in the 10m air rifle event of the Para Shooting World Cup held in Dubai in the year 2019. Also qualified for Paralympics.

Avani Lekhara has won the gold medal in the national competition five times.

Avani Lekhara has achieved the fifth rank in the world in the SH1 category in the women's 10m air rifle shooting range.

Avani Lekhra has also participated in 50 meters rifle prone in the R2 category in 10 meters air rifle standing and R6 mixed in the Asian Paralympic Shooting Games in the year 2018, in which she secured 3rd rank.

Won Gold Medal in Tokyo Para Olympics 2021. In this event, Avani Lekhra scored a total of 249.6, which is a new record for the Paralympic Games.

Avani Lekhra created history by winning a bronze medal in the 50m Rifle Three Position SH1 event on 3 September 2021 after winning gold in the 10m Air Rifle Standing HS1 category at the Tokyo Paralympics.

She became the first Indian woman athlete to win two Paralympic medals.

She has joined the select few sportspersons of India who have won more than one Paralympic medal.

Avani Lekhara gives the credit for her success to her mother Shweta Lekhra, her father Praveen Lekhra, and coach Chandan Singh.

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Awards and Honors

• In 2019, she was named the Most Promising Paralympic Athlete in India by the GoSports Foundation.
• Awarded the Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor in 2021.
• Awarded the Padma Shri Award in 2022.

If you make up your mind once, then success will never turn its back on you. Just believe in yourself once, stand in front of all the difficulties, and see, the way will be made automatically.

Jagdisha salutes Avani Lekhara who is full of high spirits. We wish you new fame and healthy life. You keep improving your talent every day and make the country proud.

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