Avani Lekhara Continues Winning Streak with Gold in 10m Air Rifle
In a stellar performance at the Paris Paralympics on Friday, reigning Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara continued her winning streak by clinching the gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle final. Lekhara delivered a personal best score of 249.7 points, showcasing her exceptional skill and composure throughout the event.
Indian shooter Mona Agarwal also made headlines by securing the bronze medal with a score of 228.7 points. From the start of the final, both Lekhara and Agarwal were strong contenders, with Lekhara ultimately emerging as the top competitor.
South Korea’s Yunri Lee took the silver medal with a score of 246.8, rounding out a competitive podium.
Earlier in the day, during the qualification round, Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal set impressive marks. Lekhara finished second with a score of 625.8, while Agarwal placed fifth with a score of 623.1. Ukrainian shooter Iryna Shchetnik set a new Paralympic qualification record with a score of 627.5, surpassing the previous mark of 626.0 set by China’s Zhang Cuiping at the Tokyo Games.
As the Paris Paralympics continue, India’s athletes remain focused and determined, with 84 athletes competing across 12 sports. This year’s expanded contingent underscores the growth of India’s para-sports ecosystem and sets high expectations for surpassing the country’s previous achievements at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where India secured a record 19 medals, including five golds, eight silvers, and six bronzes.
