Avani Lekhara (born 8 November 2001) is an Indian para rifle shooter. Competing in the SH1 classification, she is India's first-ever female gold medallist at the Paralympic Games, winning the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. She has also won the gold medal in the 2024 Paris Paralympics, becaming the first Indian woman to win back-to-back gold medals.
Early life and education Lekhara is from Jaipur, Rajasthan. A car accident in 2012, at the age of 11, left her with complete paraplegia. Her father encouraged her to join sports, training in archery but moving to shooting in which she found her true passion. She currently studies law in Rajasthan University, India. She was a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya 3 (Jaipur), where she received her first gold medal in regional match of shooting.
Career Lekhara began shooting in 2015, inspired by former Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra and has since won several national and international titles.
Lekhara won the gold medal in the women's 10m air rifle SH1 and a bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. She became the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal and set the paralympic record in the women's 10m air rifle SH1.
On 3 September 2021, she became the first Indian female Paralympian to win two medals in Paralympic history after claiming bronze in the women's 50m air rifle standing event.
In March 2024, she won a bronze medal at the World Cup in New Delhi, scoring 227.0 points.
At the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, she won a gold in women's 10m air rifle standing SH1. She became the first Indian woman athlete to win three Paralympic medals.
In popular culture Lekhara was featured in the second season of Kalki Presents: My Indian Life, a podcast produced by the BBC World Service and hosted by actress Kalki Koechlin.
Awards 2021 – Khel Ratna Award, highest sporting honour of India. 2021 – Best Female Debut – Paralympic Awards – International Paralympic Committee 2022 – Padma Shri
See also Paralympic Committee of India India at the Paralympics
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