Tokyo Paralympics

Avani Lekhara finished seventh in the qualification round with a total score of 621.7.

Tokyo Paralympics

Tokyo Paralympics: Avani Lekhara wins Gold Medal in women's 10m

AR Standing SH1 Final

Avani Lekhara won the women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event today, giving India its first gold medal at the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics.


The 19-year-old made history as the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal.
With 249.6 points, Avani set a Paralympic Record while also equaling the World Record. 

Cuiping Zhang of China won silver with 248.9 points, while Iryna Shchetnik of Ukraine took bronze.


Avani Lekhara got out to a fast start in the final, scoring consistently above 10 points.
In the first competition stage, only two of her shots scored below ten, putting her in second place.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the young shooter through Twitter, writing, "AvaniLekhara put up a fantastic show!
Congratulations on achieving a well-deserved Gold medal, which was made possible by your hard work and passion for shooting.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Indian sports.
Best of luck in your future endeavors!" 

Earlier, with a total score of 621.7, the ace shooter finished sixth in the qualification round.
Avani made a strong comeback after a difficult start to reach the showcase event's finals. 

On Sunday, India's para table tennis player Bhavina earned silver after losing the gold medal match in the women's singles - Class 4 to China's Zhou Ying 3-0.


With the silver medal, Bhavina became the first Indian table tennis player to earn a Paralympic medal, and the second female athlete to do so after PCI president Deepa Malik.


Deepa was a silver medalist in the women's shot put in Rio 2016.