Shooter Avani Lekhara breaks world record, secures spot in Paris Paralympics 2024 after

Avani Lekhara, a Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, won a gold medal in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 at the Chateauroux Para-Shooting World Cup on Tuesday, securing a spot in the Paris Paralympics 2024 with a world record score of 250.6.

Her own world record of 249.6 was broken by the 20-year-old shooter. Emilia Babska of Poland took silver with a score of 247.6, while Anna Normann of Sweden took bronze with a score of 225.6. The SH1 category is for athletes competing in rifle events who have a lower limb handicap.

“Proud to bring home the gold medal in the R2 10M Air Rifle SH1 event with a WR score & s 1st #Paris2024 Quota, at the #Chateauroux2022. My 1st Int. event since the @paralympics. A big thank you to everyone who has supported me! @narendramodi @ianuragthakur @ParalympicIndia @Media_SAI, ” tweeted Avani Lekhara.

Lekhara bagged the gold just three days after being on the verge of missing out on the Para Shooting World Cup as her coach and escort were denied visas. The Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India had to intervene to get the Visa cleared.

Last year Avani Lekhara clinched a gold medal and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. She won a gold in the 10 metre Air Rifle standing event in the SH1 category and followed it up with a bronze in the women’s 50-metre rifle 3 positions SH1 event, making her the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at the Paralympics.