Avani Lekhara's journey

Avani Lekhara made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympics by successfully defending her gold medal in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, becoming the first Indian woman to earn two golds in the Games' history. This remarkable achievement follows her impressive performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where she became the first Indian female Paralympian to win two medals in a single event. Lekhara's inspiring journey began after a life-changing accident in 2012, which left her wheelchair-bound, but her passion for shooting, inspired by Abhinav Bindra, led her to excel in the sport. Despite the challenges, she balances her athletic career with academic pursuits, currently studying law at the University of Rajasthan. Her achievements have garnered national recognition, including the Padma Shri and Khel Ratna awards, and she serves as a motivational figure for many, including fellow athletes like Manu Bhaker.