From Life-altering Road Accident in 2012 to Three Medals at Paralympics, Meet India’s Golden

Avani Lekhara on Friday created history by successfully defending her title at the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024. The star shooter shot a superb 249.7 to break her own Paralympic record of 249.6 set in Tokyo to win the gold medal in women’s 10m air rifle (SH1) event. She is now a three-time medallist at the Paralympics.

Also Read: Paris Paralympics Day 2 Live

The 22-year-old Lekhara hails from Jaipur, Rajasthan, and her journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.

After a life-altering road accident in 2012 left her wheelchair-bound, Avani’s father played a crucial role in her recovery, encouraging her to explore sports as a form of physical and mental rehabilitation. Despite her physical limitations, Avani’s indomitable spirit led her to take up archery, a sport that demands precision, focus, and discipline.

• Name: Avani Lekhara
• Date of Birth: 8th November 2001
• Home: Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Discipline: Para Shooting
• Event: R2 Women’s 10m Air Rifle SH1, R8 Women’s 50m Rifle & R3 Mixed 10m Rifle Prone
• Training Base: JDA Shooting Range & Home Range, Jaipur & Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, Delhi
• Disability Class: SH1 (For Rifle-lower limb impairment e.g. amputations or paraplegia with the ability to hold their gun without difficulty and shoot from a standing or sitting position)

Inspired by the achievements of Abhinav Bindra, Avani transitioned to competitive shooting in 2015. Her dedication and natural talent quickly propelled her to success, as she accumulated victories at both national and international levels. She made her mark in history by setting World Records at junior & senior levels, establishing herself as a rising star in para shooting.

Avani’s ambitions extend beyond sports. Despite a demanding training schedule, she is committed to her academic pursuits and was enrolled in a five-year law degree program at the University of Rajasthan. Her academic achievements highlight her multifaceted talents and determination to excel in all aspects of life.

The pinnacle of Avani’s sporting career came in 2021 when she made history at the Paralympic Games, becoming the first Indian female Paralympian to win two medals—a gold and a bronze—in a single event. Her triumphs resonated across the nation, and her remarkable achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri and Khel Ratna. These honors not only celebrate her sporting success but also stand as a testament to her perseverance, courage, and ability to overcome adversity.

Top Achievements

• Paralympics Games (2024) – Gold Medal – Women’s 10m air rifle (SH1)
• Paralympics Games (2020) – Gold Medal in R2 – Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 & Bronze Medal in R8 – Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1
• Asian Para Games (2022) – Gold Medal in R2 – Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1
• World Cup New Delhi (2024) – Bronze Medal in R2 – Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 & R6 – Mixed Team 50m Rifle Prone SH1 1
• Osijek World Cup (2023) – Gold Medal in R2 – Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 & Silver Medal in R10 – Mixed Team 10m Rifle Standing SH1
• Changwon World Cup (2023) – Silver Medal in R2 – Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1

Key Government Intervention

• Financial Assistance for Foreign Training & Competitions
• Financial Assistance for Sports Equipment
• Out of Pocket Allowance under TOPS