Avani Lekhara Breaks Paralympic Record [Current Affairs]

• Para shooter Avani Lekhara created history on August 30, by becoming the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at Paralympics.
• Avani, who became the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic Games gold medal during the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the Tokyo 2020 edition, retained her title in Paris.
• This is Avani’s third medal at the Paralympic Games. She had also won a bronze medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event in Tokyo.

A new Paralympic record

Avani Lekhara set a new Paralympic record with a score of 249.7, becoming the first Indian woman to win two individual gold medals at the Paralympics. With this achievement, Avani joined Devendra Jhajharia as the only Indian Paralympian to win multiple individual gold medals.

Who is Avani Lekhara?

Avani also known as Avani Lekhara is a rising Indian Paralympian rifle shooter, born on 8th November 2001 in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Due to her training and her success in shooting, she also gave a historic performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics by winning gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing event SH1 and a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions.

Her Shooting Career

Avani’s shooting career is marked by numerous accolades:

• 2015: Started training and won her first gold medal at the National Shooting Championship.
• 2017: Secured a silver medal at the AI Ain Shooting World Cup and a bronze at the WSPS World Cup in Bangkok.
• 2018: Achieved remarkable success at the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup, winning three gold medals.
• 2020 Tokyo Paralympics: Won gold in the 10m air rifle standing with a score of 249.6, setting a Paralympic record and tying the world record. She also won a bronze in the 50m rifle three positions, making her the first Indian female Paralympian to win multiple medals at the same Games.
• Paris 2024 Paralympics: She successfully defended her title in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, winning her second gold medal with a new Paralympic record score of 249.7. This achievement makes her the second Indian Paralympian, after Devendra Jhajharia, to win two gold medals.

Her Achievement

Avani’s contributions to sports have been widely recognized:

• 2021: Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor.
• 2022: Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards.
• Multiple accolades including the Young Indian of the Year by GQ India and the Best Female Debut at the Paralympic Awards.