Avani Lekhara Clinches Second Gold with New Paralympic Record, Mona Agarwal Bronze Avani Lekhara
India’s campaign at the Paralympics in Paris kicked off in style on Friday as Avani Lekhara once again proved her mettle in shooting. The 22-year-old para-shooter from India successfully defended her title in the women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event to capture her second successive gold medal. Avani did not only take gold but also broke her own record in the Paralympic Games of Tokyo 2020, thus becoming the most decorated female Paralympian from India. The superlative display by Avani has set off a nasty and thrilling final at Chateauroux in the Final Range as it will give India even higher hopes for its medal tally in Paris Paralympics.
Thrilling Final at the Chateauroux – Final Range
If anything, the final was nothing less than a nail-biting thriller in the women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event. Avani Lekhara-lying in second position-saw a constant challenge from South Korean Lee Yunri. Till the final stages, it looked like Lee had the gold in her bag. However, with a shocking drama, Lee shot 6.8 in her last attempt, opening the door for Avani to take the lead. And rising to that situation, Avani shot a 10.5 in her final attempt to seal the gold at 249.7, a new Paralympic record. This was above her previous 249.6 three years back in Tokyo.
Bronze Brilliance for Mona Agarwal
If Avani Lekhara’s gold was the big one, Mona Agarwal made sure India’s success in shooting would bellow loud. The 36-year-old shooter managed to pocket the bronze medal in the same event-a proud moment for Indian sports. Mona was in contention for gold till the final elimination round. She shot 228.7 to claim the bronze and is one of the main contributors to India’s medal tally. She walked up to the podium with precision and composure, showing skill and determination in a highly competitive field.
A Resilience Saga: Avani Lekhara’s Rise to the Top
The journey of Avani Lekhara to Gold in the Paralympics is one of determination and will. In 2012, the life of Avani took a huge turn when, because of a car accident, she became wheelchair-bound. This life-altering event did not make Avani let her circumstances define her future. Her father, Praveen Lekhara, was highly instrumental during her recovery and introduced her to shooting in 2015 at the Jagatpura Shooting Range in Jaipur. It was here that Avani found her calling for the sport.
Inspired by the autobiography of Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, Avani began her training with a newfound zeal. She had first trained under coach Chandra Shekhar and then paired with the former air rifle Olympian Suma Shirur as her personal coach. Soon, her untiring efforts and dedication started yielding good results when, for the first time, she won an international bronze medal in the 2017 World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) World Cup held at Bangkok. There was no looking back since then for Avani Lekhara, whose achievements on the international arena are continuous inspirations.
Mona Agarwal: Late Bloomer in Full Swing
Equally captivating is the journey to the podium of Mona Agarwal. At 36, the sports woman is a late bloomer to this sport. But all the same, her perseverance and commitment to the sport seem to be yielding impressive returns. The bronze medal that Mona won in the Paralympics of Paris was a sign of her dexterity and mental strength. Her story inspires many upcoming athletes, since it shows that it is never too late to begin any work one loves and to attain success.
Setting the Stage for India’s Success
The success of Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal in shooting events has set the tone in a positive vein regarding the India campaign at the Paris Paralympics. Their feats lifted laurels for India, but most importantly they have lifted the profile of para-sports in the country. Their dedication and hard work projected the potential of Indian para-athletes on the international arena.
While there are Indian athletes and winners in different events that have been included in the Paris Paralympics, shooting stands out. Just as Manu Bhaker had opened the medal account of India at the Paris Olympics, it was Avani and Mona who did it at the Paralympics to set the stage for more triumphs.
The Road Ahead for Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal
While Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal are still finding their way through their respective careers, the aim for them is to strive further in performance for more laurels to come for India. History had been created when Avani became the first female para-athlete to win three Paralympics medals for India. In this way, she turned out to be an instant icon in the sport. Her story represents a ray of hope and inspiration to many with regards to the will of survival and determination.
On the other hand, Mona Agarwal showed that one’s age should not stand in the way of attaining success in sports. Her winning of a bronze medal stood as a testimony for her perseverance and skill, and she will most likely be able to compete at the highest level in the coming years.
Conclusion
Avani Lekhara’s gold and Mona Agarwal’s bronze in the Paris Paralympics are much more than just pieces of metal; they signify the spirit of conquering adversities and achieving excellence against all odds. Their performances have brought not only glory to the country but have also inspired many to dream of pursuing careers in the field of their choice, notwithstanding challenges. The success of Avani and Mona will persist in the memory of every Indian as shining moments of what is possible with effort, dedication, and unbroken spirits as the moments in Paris Paralympics keep unfolding.
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