This Gold Medal Is Not Mine, It’s For Entire Country: Shooter Avani Lekhara

Mumbai: After winning a gold medal in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event at Tokyo Paralympics, shooter Avani Lekhara said, “This medal is not mine, it’s for the entire country.”

Avani on Monday became the first Indian woman in history to win a gold medal at the Paralympics. The 19-year-old said that he felt like he was on top of the world. Avni said, “I am very happy, very grateful for everything. When I won gold I was so happy that I couldn’t believe it, I felt like I am on top of the world. I was so happy,” Avani told ANI.

Avani finished with a Paralympic record and In-Process equalled the world record with 249.6 points. However, the road to the final was not that easy. Avni made a poor start in the qualification and then bounced back.

The Indian shooter started the final at a very good pace as he scored above 10 points in a row. Only two of her shots went down 10 in the first leg of the competition, moving her to second place.

Moving into the elimination stage, Avni finished first and maintained a very healthy lead against her opponents.

“I was just concentrating on my game, taking one shot at a time. I just wanted to give my 100 per cent without thinking about the medal,” Avni said.

He said, “I believe everyone can do whatever they want, you just have to believe in yourself. Just give your 100 per cent and you can do whatever you want.”

The young para-athlete dedicated his medal to all the citizens of the country who supported him during the journey.

“I would like to dedicate my medal to all the Indians, all of them have supported me, I’m so thankful and grateful to each one of them,” she signed off.

(With ANI Inputs)

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