Shooter Avani Lekhara has created sporting history after becoming the first Indian woman to win a Paralympics gold medal. The 19-year-old won with an impressive score of 149.6 in the final event of women’s 10m air rifle standing at Tokyo.
She’s the fourth Indian athlete to win a Paralympics gold after swimmer Murlikant Petkar (1972), javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia (2004 and 2016) and high jumper Thangavelu Mariyappan (2016).
She finished with a world record-equalling total of 249.6, which is also a new Paralympic record, beating China’s Zhang Cuiping, who won silver with a score of 248.9.
Before Avani, discuss thrower Yogesh Kathuniya also ended up on the podium by winning the silver in men’s F56 discus throw.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Lekhara for clinching a gold medal in Tokyo Paralympics and said that it was possible due to her industrious nature and passion for shooting. He spoke to her on the telephone and congratulated her on winning. PM Modi called her win a “matter of great pride” while she expressed her happiness for the support she received from the whole nation.
PM Modi also lauds Yogesh Kathuniya for winning a silver medal.
