India had a great start to the second day of the Paris Paralympics 2024. India managed to win its first gold medal. This medal was won by Indian shooter Avani Lekhara. This is the same Avani Lekhara who had won two medals in the last Paralympics as well. She won the gold medal in the women's 10m air rifle (SH1) event. Avani Lekhara has struggled a lot to reach this point. She had suffered a major setback at a young age, but Avni, who never gives up, has overcome big challenges and has come this far.

Avni Lekhara is another name for passion

Avni Lekhara is a resident of Jaipur, Rajasthan.

She was born on 8 November 2001. But in the year 2012, her life changed completely. She suffered a serious spinal injury in a car accident. She suffered paralysis after this accident. She was only 11 years old at that time. After this, she had to resort to a wheelchair to walk. She went into complete depression. But just three years after the accident, Avni decided to make shooting her life.

Let us tell you, after this accident, her father inspired her to participate in sports. First she started taking training in archery. After some time, Avani Lekhara chose shooting as her career.

She felt that she could do better in shooting and her decision proved to be right. In the year 2015, she got associated with shooting in Jaipur city itself and started practicing at Jagatpura Sports Complex. Now she is making India proud all over the world.

Won gold by breaking Paralympic record

In Paris Paralympics 2024, Avni Lekhara broke the Paralympic record and won the gold medal. Avni scored 249.7 points in the final which is a new Paralympic record. There was a very tough competition between Avni Lekhara and Yunri Lee of South Korea till the last shot.

However, Avni Lekhara managed to win. With this, she has also defended her title. Earlier, Avni Lekhara had also won the gold medal in the 10 meter air event SH-1 in the 2020 Paralympics. Let us tell you, she has now also become the first player from India to defend her medal in the Paralympics and now she has a total of 3 medals in the Paralympics. This is also a record, because before this no Indian had won 3 Paralympic medals.

Avni was awarded the title of Best Female Debut at the Paralympic Awards 2021. In the year 2022, Avni Lekhara also created history by winning gold in the Para Shooting World Cup.

Here she won 2 gold medals. Apart from this, Avni has also won a gold medal in the Asian Para Games. So far Avni has received awards like Khel Ratna Award, Young Indian of the Year, Padmashree and Para Athlete of the Year.

Here she won 2 gold medals. Apart from this, Avni has also won a gold medal in the Asian Para Games. So far Avni has received awards like Khel Ratna Award, Young Indian of the Year, Padmashree and Para Athlete of the Year.