Paralympics: Double Podium For India in Paris; Avani Lekhara Wins Gold Medal, Mona Wins Bronze

India have attained a double podium finish in Women's 10m Air rifle shooting at Paris Paralympics as Mona Agarwal has secured a bronze and Avani Lekhara has won gold medal. India are off mark in Paris Paralympics with two medals from same event. Avani Lekhara finishes with a score of 249.7, bettering her own Paralympic Record of 249.6 from Tokyo 2020. Mona Agarwal on or hand finished with a score of 228.7. This is Avani Lekhara's third Paralympics medal. She secured two medals in Tokyo and has come back to win a Gold in French capital. On or end, Mona Agarwal will step on to podium for first time. 

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Avani Lekara Wins Gold, Mona Secures Bronze

incredible Avani Lekhara became first Indian woman to win two Paralympic gold medal with her victory in women's 10m air rifle (SH1) event here on Friday as compatriot Mona Agarwal claimed a bronze. Winner of Tokyo Paralympics gold three years back, Avani, 22, shot a superb 249.7 to erase her own record of 249.6 set in Japanese capital, while Mona, who took up shooting sport in 2022, notched up 228.7 for bronze. Avani, who is wheel-chair bound after a car mishap left her paralysed below waist when she was 11-years-old, h became first woman shooter from country to win medals in shooting at Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.

SH1 category in shooting involves athletes who have movement affected in ir arms, lower trunk, legs or have no limbs. In qualification, defending champion Avani shot 625.8 to be placed second behind Iryna Shchetnik, who broke Paralympic qualification record with a score of 627.5. Mona, two-time World Cup gold medallist competing in her maiden Paralympics, shot 623.1 in qualification and entered final in fifth place. 

(With inputs from PTI)