Tokyo Paralympics: After Gold, Avani Lekhara now wins bronze for India
In the last minutes of the tournament, the competitor earned a bronze medal with decent points.
NEW DELHI — In the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics, Indian shooter Avani Lekhara grabbed a bronze medal in the R8 women’s 50m rifle 3P SH1 event.
Avani has now won two medals in the current Paralympics, having earned gold earlier this week. With a score of 149.5 points at the completion of the kneeling round, Avani was in fourth place.
Following the completion of the prone round, the 19-year-old Indian athlete fell to sixth place. Avani scored 303.4 points after shot 30.
Consistency pays off for Avani Lekhara
She then moved up to fifth place after a strong start to the elimination round. Keeping up her strong form, the Indian athlete climbed up to fourth place in the standing position after two sets.
The athlete clinched a bronze medal with a flawless score in the closing minutes of the competition.
Avani qualified for the finals of the R8 women’s 50m rifle 3P SH1 event earlier in the day after achieving second spot in the qualification round.
In the Kneeling, Prone, and Standing rounds, Avani scored 388, 393, and 395 points, respectively.
A gold is already in the athlete’s kitty
Avani Lekhara made history by capturing the gold medal on Monday.
The 19-year-old made history as the first Indian female to win a Paralympic gold medal. Avani had set a Paralympic Record and was on his way to tying the World Record with 249.6 points.
Accident doesn’t hold back Avani Lekhara from winning multiple medals
The Jaipur-based shooter had shot a world record-tying total of 249.6, which was also a new Paralympic record, before suffering spinal cord damage in a vehicle accident in 2012.
Prior to her, Joginder Singh Sodhi was the first Indian to win multiple medals in the same Paralympics edition, winning one silver and two bronze medals in 1984.
His silver medal came in shot put, while she took bronze in discus and javelin throw. Zhang Cuiping of China won gold with a new Games record of 457.9 in Friday’s event, while German Natascha Hiltrop grabbed silver with a 457.1 in the final.
It is imperative to mention here that athletes in the SH1 Rifle have a leg disability, such as amputations or paraplegia. Some competitors will participate while seated, while others will compete while standing.
