Barely five months before the Paris Paralympics, 22-year-old Avani Lekhara, India’s shooting sensation, underwent surgery to remove gallbladder stones, a condition that had plagued her for over a year. The persistent pain from the stones had significantly impacted her training routine, forcing the young athlete to opt for the operation in March, determined to perform her best at the upcoming games.
But on Friday, Avani won the gold medal in the women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 final at the Chateauroux Shooting Range. This victory marked her third Paralympic medal, adding to the gold and bronze she secured at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago.
Avani’s journey to recovery was far from easy. After the surgery, she was advised to rest for two months. Her coach, Chandra Shekar, recalled the challenges Avani Lekhara faced in regaining her form.
“Post-surgery, weakened muscles were the main challenge. We had to go back to basics, making her do dry/shadow loading. Her body would shake sometimes during shooting due to the weakened neuromuscular memory. But once she regained full strength, we increased the number of targets, and she was back on track before Paris,” Shekar explained.
ALSO READ: Paris Paralympics: Preethi Pal bags bronze medal in Women’s T35 100m event
Avani’s story is one of resilience and determination, shaped by a tragic accident in 2011 when she was just 11 years old. A car accident on the Jaipur-Dholpur highway left her with spinal cord injuries, paralyzing her from the waist down.
ALSO READ: PKR 150 million, civilian honours and much more. Here’s a peek into what Arshad Nadeem will be getting for his Olympic Gold Medal
After spending over 90 days in the hospital, Avani Lekhara took nearly three years to regain some strength. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for shooting, eventually starting her training at the Jagatpura Shooting Range in 2014 and later under coach Shekar in 2016.
Within a year of starting her training, Avani made her mark by winning titles at para nationals and earning international medals, including a silver at the WSPS World Cup in Al Ain and a bronze in Bangkok. Her mental strength, according to coach Shekar, has always been her biggest asset.
At the Tokyo Paralympics, Avani Lekhara created history by becoming the second Indian to win multiple medals in the same Paralympics—gold in the 10m Air Rifle SH1 and bronze in the 50m 3P event. Her coach remembers how meticulous preparation and adjustments, especially in the kneeling and prone positions for the 50m 3P event, were key to her success.
ALSO READ: Court of Arbitration for Sport dismisses plea by Vinesh Phogat, IOA lawyer reacts
“Her mental strength helped her understand the basics of shooting well,” said national coach Suma Shirur, who has also played a significant role in Avani’s development. “When we made adjustments like finding the best load position and establishing the base with the support of her upper body, unlike a normal shooter who uses their feet to balance, it happened slowly, and she was patient with that.”
Avani’s perseverance was further demonstrated when she secured the first Paralympic quota for India at the Para World Cup in Paris in 2022, setting a new world record score of 250.6 in the final. Despite the challenges and pain she endured, Avani’s relentless spirit and dedication have made her a true champion, inspiring countless others with her remarkable journey.
