Avani Lekhara
Lekhara in 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nationality | Indian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | November 8, 2001 Jaipur, Rajasthan, India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2015–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Shooting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disability | Paraplegia (spinal cord injury) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disability class | SH1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 10m air rifle standing SH1 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Rajasthan State Rifle Association | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Chandra Shekhar, Suma Shirur | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paralympic finals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest world ranking | World No. 1 (SH1, 10m air rifle) 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Avani Lekhara (born 8 November 2001) is an Indian Paralympic rifle shooter and disability rights advocate. She is the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games and the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals in a single edition of the Paralympics. Competing in the SH1 classification, Lekhara made history at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics by securing gold in the women's 10m air rifle standing event and bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions. She went on to break her own world record at the 2024 Paralympics, further solidifying her position as one of India’s most accomplished para-athletes.
After sustaining a spinal cord injury in a car accident in 2012, Lekhara took up shooting as part of her rehabilitation. Her success has not only earned her accolades such as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Padma Shri but has also positioned her as a prominent figure in disability advocacy. Through her achievements and public engagements, she has helped shift perceptions around disability and gender in Indian sports, promoting greater inclusivity in both policy and public attitudes.