“Respect for her incredible achievement” – Coach Suma Shirur heaps praise on Avani Lekhara for gold medal win at Paris 2024 Paralympics
Indian shooting coach and former Commonwealth Games gold medalist Suma Shirur heaped praise on para rifle shooter Avani Lekhara for clinching a gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event on Friday, August 30, at the ongoing Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Suma Shirur, who is one of the most decorated female shooters in the country, regularly trains Avani Lekhara at the Lakshya Shooting Club in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Lekhara, who joined Laksyhya Shooting Club six years ago, travels to the training center three to four times each year to train under Shirur.
Speaking after Avani’s gold medal-winning performance at the Chateauroux shooting center on Friday, Suma Shirur said:
“Many congratulations to all of us! Back-to-back golds in consecutive Paralympics for India's Golden Girl, Avani Lekhara. Respect for her incredible achievement. Two Indian para shooters, including Avani, qualified for the finals in the R2 - Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event."
"Avani has been training at Lakshya Shooting Club since 2018, and Mona Agarwal also did a fantastic job, winning the bronze. What a team – Champion Avani and Lakshya Shooting Club,” she added.
Avani Lekhara scripts history at Paris 2024 Paralympics, becomes first female Indian Paralympian with two gold medals
Avani Lekhara’s medal win on Friday made for multiple landmark moments in the country. Jaipur-born Lekhara became not only the most decorated female para-shooter in India’s sporting history but also the first female para-shooter to win two Paralympic gold medals. In fact, the only other para-athlete who has been able to manage that feat is the legendary Devendra Jhajharia.
Still only 22 years old, Lekhara is well on her way to becoming the most decorated Paralympian in India for the foreseeable future. Her meteoric rise has been a part of the wider improvement in the standards of sport shooters in India.
Three of the four medals won by India at the ongoing Paris 2024 Paralympics have been won by para-shooters, with Mona Agarwal winning a bronze medal and Manish Narwal winning a silver medal.
The same was also seen in the Paris 2024 Olympics, with three of the six medals won by India coming from the shooting contingent – Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, and Swapnil Kusale.