Avani Lekhara Shatters Barriers with Consecutive Paralympics Gold

Avani Lekhara celebrated winning her second consecutive gold in women's 10m air rifle at the Paralympics, marking a barrier-breaking achievement for women athletes in India. Despite overcoming a surgery earlier this year, Lekhara remains focused on future competitions and aims to inspire more women. Manish Narwal also earned silver in men’s 10m air pistol.

Avani Lekhara, supremely confident, marked her triumph of winning a second consecutive gold medal in the Paralympics by declaring it a significant barrier-breaking moment for women athletes in India.

Avani successfully defended her women's 10m air rifle gold medal, initially clinched in the Tokyo Paralympics, with a record score of 249.7 in the final. Fellow Indian athlete Mona took home the bronze.

Speaking to reporters from Paris, Avani expressed her happiness in winning gold for India and emphasized that her achievement symbolizes possibilities for other women in the country. Despite undergoing gall bladder surgery in March, which posed challenges, Avani has refocused on future events.

Manish Narwal also climbed the podium, securing silver in the men's 10m air pistol final. The 22-year-old recalled celebrating his gold medal in Tokyo with his late brother Manjeet Singh, which fueled him emotionally this time around.

(With inputs from agencies.)