Top Indian shooter Avani Lekhara, who won gold at the Tokyo Games, qualified for the women’s 10 meter air rifle final (SH1) at the Paris Paralympics on Friday (August 30). She secured the second place in the qualification round. Mona Agarwal, who has been performing well over the past year, also qualified for the final by securing the fifth position. This gives India a chance to win two medals in the event.
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Avani scored 625.8 points, finishing behind Irina Shchetnik, who set a new Paralympic qualification record with a score of 627.5. Mona, competing in her first Paralympics and a two-time World Cup gold medalist, scored 623.1 points.
Avani became a prominent para-athlete after winning gold in the SH1 category at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago. She also won bronze in the 50 meter rifle three positions event at Tokyo.
After a serious injury in a car accident, Avani now uses a wheelchair. The SH1 category includes shooters whose arms, lower torso, or legs are affected, or who have a limb impairment.