Twenty-two-year-old Avani Lekhara put up a strong fight in the final of the women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 competition at the Paralympic Games in France. Despite leading briefly and performing well in her strong suit of standing, a slip in the prone stage and an unexpected 8.3 shot resulted in Lekhara finishing fifth. The SH1 class allows athletes with lower-limb impairments to compete in rifle shooting events, with the ability to shoot from a standing or sitting position.
Avani Lekhara: India's Paralympic Shooting Star
Twenty-two-year-old Avani Lekhara has made India proud with her exceptional performance in Paralympic shooting. Despite facing a physical disability, she has emerged as a true champion, inspiring millions worldwide.
Background:
Lekhara was born on November 27, 1999, in Jaipur, Rajasthan. At the age of 11, she met with a tragic car accident that left her with a spinal cord injury, resulting in paralysis below the waist. Undeterred, she discovered her passion for rifle shooting at the age of 18.
Paralympic Achievements:
Fifth Place in France:
In the recent women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 competition at the Paralympic Games in France, Lekhara performed admirably. Despite a strong start and leading for a brief period, an unexpected 8.3 shot in the prone stage resulted in her finishing in fifth place.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. What is the SH1 class in Paralympic shooting? The SH1 class allows athletes with lower-limb impairments to compete in rifle shooting events. They can shoot from either a standing or sitting position.
2. Why did Avani Lekhara finish fifth in France? Lekhara slipped in the prone stage of the competition, resulting in a low score of 8.3. This hindered her overall performance and led to her finishing in fifth place.
3. What is Lekhara's most notable achievement? Lekhara's most notable achievement was winning the gold medal in the women's 10m air rifle SH1 event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, setting a new Paralympic record.
4. How old was Lekhara when she met with the car accident? Lekhara was 11 years old when she met with the car accident that left her paralyzed below the waist.
5. What is Lekhara's goal for the future? Lekhara's goal is to continue excelling in Paralympic shooting and inspire others with her determination and resilience. She aspires to win more medals and break more records at future Paralympic Games.
Avani Lekhara's journey serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of human beings. Her perseverance and unwavering determination have made her a role model for countless individuals. Her achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also shattered stereotypes and raised awareness about the capabilities of differently-abled athletes.
After a lackluster 3-3-1 start to the season, NFL Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin has been highly critical of team owner and general manager Jerry Jones. In particular, Irvin has been vocal about the team's defensive struggles and the departure of promising rookie Micah Parsons. With Parsons no longer on the field, the Cowboys have seen a decline in their interception game, leading to more big plays for their opponents. Despite Jones's efforts to find a replacement for Parsons, it seems the Cowboys are missing his presence on the field more than ever, according to Irvin.
Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh emerged victorious against American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura at the Clutch Chess Champions Showdown, redeeming himself after the controversial king-throwing incident in an earlier match. With his respectful and calm conduct, Gukesh showed the world what true sportsmanship is all about, in stark contrast to Nakamura's earlier theatrics. His win not only restored his pride, but also reinforced the values of dignity, patience, and respect in competitive chess.
During the third ODI between Australia and India in Sydney, Shreyas Iyer sustained a serious rib injury while attempting to catch Alex Carey. Despite his valiant effort, Iyer's injury has been revealed to be more severe than initially thought, with a laceration injury to his spleen in addition to the impact injury to his ribs. The BCCI is closely monitoring Iyer's recovery, as he is expected to be out for at least three weeks and miss the upcoming South Africa ODIs.
India beats Pakistan in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup with a partnership between Abhishek and Gill that reached 105 runs, easily taking Pakistan out of the game. Abhishek scored a 39-ball 74, with six fours and five sixes, while Gill made 47 in 28 balls, with eight fours. After reaching the target, Abhishek and Gill made some remarks and gestures towards the Pakistani bowlers, showing a reminiscent of the 1996 World Cup battle between India and Pakistan. This win puts India on top of the Super Four stage with two wins in a row.
India's batting line-up faces a major setback as the Women's ODI World Cup semifinals nears, with star opener Pratika Rawal ruled out due to a freak injury. The team is now looking for a replacement to open alongside Smriti Mandhana, with options like Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, and even the return of Shafali Verma being considered for the crucial match against Australia. Rawal's absence will be a huge blow for India's chances of lifting the World Cup.
With the unfortunate injury of Pratika Rawal, India has named Shafali Verma as the official replacement in their squad for the Women's ODI World Cup. The 21-year-old opening batter had been dropped from the team's ODI plans but her impressive form in the shortest format has earned her this opportunity. Verma will have to fill in for the consistent Rawal, who had a phenomenal partnership with Smriti Mandhana, and impress in a format she hasn't played in since 2024.
Shafali Verma has been named as the replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal in India's squad for the World Cup semifinal against Australia. Rawal had suffered a freak injury while fielding in the last group stage game against Bangladesh. Verma, who has been in good form in domestic cricket, is expected to open the innings with Smriti Mandhana in the knockout clash. Rawal's absence will be a blow for India, as she has been a key player for the team and holds the record for the joint fastest century in ODIs.
India's promising opener, Pratika Rawal, has been ruled out of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 due to a severe ankle injury sustained during the team's last league game against Bangladesh. The injury occurred due to the wet ground conditions as the match was reduced to 43 overs per side. Rawal, who had an impressive year in international cricket, will be a significant loss for India as they face Australia in the semifinals.
According to sources, Indian ODI vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, was admitted to the ICU at a Sydney hospital after suffering an impact injury during the third ODI against Australia. The injury appeared minor at first but after returning to the dressing room, Iyer suffered internal bleeding and was quickly admitted to the hospital by the BCCI team doctor. Fans are now anxiously waiting for Iyer's speedy recovery and return to the field.
In a major setback for Team India, opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the World Cup semi-final against Australia due to an ankle injury sustained in the match against Bangladesh. Rawal, who had played a crucial role in the team's victory against New Zealand, suffered a fracture and will not be able to take part in the crucial match. There are also concerns over the fitness of wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who was hit on her finger in the previous match and did not play against Bangladesh. As a result, India will have to make some changes to their line-up and also decide who will open the innings with Smriti Mandhana in the match against Australia.