Unseen pictures of Avani Lakhera who becomes first Indian woman to win 2 Paralympic medals

Trailblazing shooter Avani Lekhara on Friday became the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic medals by claiming the 50m Rifle 3 Position SH1 bronze to add to an unprecedented gold she had secured earlier in the ongoing Games.

Written by Sports Desk

Updated: September 3, 2021 14:01 IST

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As 19-year-old Avani Lekhara won the gold medal in women’s 10m air rifle Standing event in the SH 1 category at the Tokyo Paralympics, father Praveen was filled with emotions.

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In 2012, the whole Lekhara family met with an accident on their way to Dholpur from Jaipur. The then 11-year-old Avani suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralysed below the waist. As the teenager became Paralympic champion with a record score of 249.6 in the final, Praveen – who works in the Revenue Appellate Authority – remembered the fateful day.

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In Tokyo on Monday, Avani fired a round of 621.7 in qualification after a shaky start but recovered to be placed seventh after the qualification round and make the final. In the final, she led from the start and edged out China’s Zhang C and Ukraine’s I Shchetnik in the medal series to win the gold.

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Avani showed interest in studying as well as dance from a young age and used to participate in dance competitions at Kendriya Vidyalaya 3, Jaipur.

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In 2014, Praveen took his daughter to the Jagatpura Shooting Range to keep the youngster occupied as well as setting a target for herself. “I was in hospital when doctors told me that Avani has been paralysed below the waist.

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n 2018, Avani would also start training under coach Suma Shirur at the Lakshya Shooting Club in Mumbai or online sessions and practising with a computerised digital target at home provided by the Sports Authority of India.

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In 2016, Avani started training under coach Chandra Shekhar at the Jagatpura Shooting Range and he made her focus on 50m rifle events apart from 10m air rifle events.

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Once she was comfortable shooting in the wheelchair and the adjustments, we went from 50 shots to even 200 shots in a session.

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As for father Praveen, he knows what India’s latest Paralympic champion will be doing in Tokyo. “I am sure she will be having some continental food and listening to her favourite Punjabi songs to celebrate this medal,” he says.

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The academy and its other trainees needed to make some adjustments and go the extra mile for Avani.

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After the accident, she had to spend more than three months at the SMS Hospital in Jaipur before another four at the Indian Spinal Injury Centre (ISIC) at New Delhi. For the next two and a half years, the family would take Avani for treatment at various hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.