Meet Avani Lekhara, the Paralympic shooter who made history with two gold medals for India

Avani Lekhara, a 22-year-old athlete from India, made history by becoming the first Indian woman to secure two Paralympic gold medals. This achievement was marked on Friday when she won the women's 10m air rifle (SH1) event, surpassing her own record set in the Tokyo Paralympics. Alongside her, compatriot Mona Agarwal claimed the bronze medal in the same event.

Avani's journey is one of exceptional resilience and determination. At the age of 11, she was left paralyzed below the waist due to a car accident. Despite this setback, she persevered and etched her name in history as the first woman shooter from India to win medals in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.



In the SH1 category in shooting, athletes have movement affected in their arms, lower trunk, legs, or may have no limbs. During the qualification round, Avani showcased her skills by shooting a score of 625.8, securing the second position behind Iryna Shchetnik, who set a new Paralympic qualification record with a score of 627.5. Mona Agarwal, a two-time World Cup gold medallist making her Paralympic debut, performed admirably with a score of 623.1, entering the final in fifth place.

Avani hails from Jaipur, Rajasthan, and her journey is marked by resilience and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. After a life-changing road accident in 2012, her father encouraged her to explore sports as a form of physical and mental rehabilitation. Although initially dabbling in archery, Avani eventually transitioned to competitive shooting in 2015, inspired by the achievements of renowned shooter Abhinav Bindra.

Avani's rapid ascent in the sport saw her achieving victories at both national and international levels. She set World Records at junior and senior levels, establishing herself as a rising star in para shooting. While pursuing her sporting career, she remained committed to her academic goals, enrolling in a five-year law degree program at the University of Rajasthan.

Her pinnacle achievement came in 2021 at the Paralympic Games, where she became the first Indian female Paralympian to win two medals—gold and bronze—in a single event. Her triumphs resonated across India, bringing her recognition and prestigious awards like the Padma Shri and Khel Ratna.

These honours celebrate her sporting success and stand as a testament to her perseverance, courage, and ability to overcome adversity.