Tokyo Paralympics champion Avani Lekhara returned to international action with a bang as she won gold at the season-starting Para Shooting World Cup in Chateauroux, France with a world record score of 250.6 in R2 - women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 on Tuesday.
In the process of winning gold, the 20-year-old shooter broke her own world record of 249.6 that she set at Tokyo in the final and also secured a quota spot for India at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in this event.
Lekhara was in complete control of the final from the word go, finishing three points ahead of the silver medallist from Poland. Her last shot was a superb 10.8 to get the world record score.
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Lekhara won gold three days after being on the verge of missing the tournament as her coach and escort had visa issues but it was resolved after intervention of the Sports Authority of India and Sports Ministry, PTI reported.
Also winning the gold medal was Sriharsha Ramakrishna who clinched a close top spot in the R4 - mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 event. He finished on 253.1 ahead of Francek Tirsek who shot 252.6.
Sriharsha’s gold also meant a Paris 2024 quota, as confirmed by SAI.
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