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.
In a surprising move, Kolkata Knight Riders bought back Indian cricketer Venkatesh Iyer for a record-breaking price of Rs 23.75 crore in the IPL mega auction. Iyer, who has previously represented KKR, expressed his excitement to take on the captaincy challenge and lead the team to defend their championship title. The franchise's decision to choose Iyer over their previous 2024 winning captain Shreyas Iyer at the auction came as a shock to many, but Iyer is grateful for the trust and confidence shown in him by the team.
As the Chennai Super Kings gear up for the 2025 season, they have retained their core group of players while making strategic additions through the IPL Mega Auction. With one eye on transitioning from MS Dhoni's leadership, CSK has secured key players like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, while also bringing in new talent like Devon Conway and Rahul Tripathi. Despite a limited budget, CSK has managed to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
Join us for live updates as Real Madrid faces off against Leganes in a crucial LaLiga match. After a dominant 4-0 win against Osasuna, Real Madrid hopes to continue their winning streak and close the gap with league leaders Barcelona. However, Leganes won't go down without a fight as they aim to secure their first ever LaLiga victory over Los Blancos. Stay tuned for all the action from the Estadio Butarque.
Fans can catch all the action and commentary of Manchester United's first game under new manager Ruben Amorim, as they take on Ipswich in a crucial match that could help the team move out of the bottom three. Star player Marcus Rashford pokes in a goal within two minutes, followed by an impressive curling shot from midfielder Tom Hutchinson. Fans can join in on the excitement by sharing their thoughts and reactions with #bbcfootball or joining the conversation on WhatsApp or text. Though the team faces challenges with unfit players, Amorim's first press conference and assessment of the situation shows promise for the future.
During the club's annual general meeting, Real Madrid's outspoken president, Florentino Perez, criticized top football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA for the new Champions League format and increased number of matches. He also blamed these changes for the injury woes of several players in the team. Perez's strong words emphasize the ongoing tension between club owners and the authorities, and highlight the potential consequences of prioritizing commercial interests over the well-being of players and the sport itself.
In a career that has been marked by numerous successes, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli added another milestone as he scored his 30th Test hundred against Australia in Perth. Not only did he surpass the legendary Sir Donald Bradman's tally of 29 Test hundreds, but he also broke his own personal drought of not scoring a century since July 2023. This knock was not just a personal victory for Kohli, but was also a crucial contribution to the team's cause. Credit was given to his wife, Anushka Sharma, who has been his support through the tough times in his red ball cricket career.
The Premier League title race heated up as Liverpool secured a late 2-0 victory over Southampton at St Mary's. After Manchester City's shocking 4-0 loss to Tottenham, the Reds took advantage and extended their lead at the top of the table. Salah proved to be the hero for Liverpool, scoring two goals to secure the win and put his team in a commanding position. Follow the thrilling match between Southampton and Liverpool in our live updates.
The highly anticipated IPL mega auction for 2025 is set to begin on November 24 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With 577 players in the running and 201 slots to be filled across the franchises, fans can expect a thrilling bidding war for some of the biggest names in cricket including Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, and Mitchell Starc. 12 top players have been split into two groups and will be the first to go under the hammer, followed by the remaining capped and uncapped players. The live telecast will be available on Star Sports with streaming on Jio Cinema. Mark your calendars for March 14, 2025, as the next IPL season begins.
Real Madrid's expectations for success are already sky-high, but with the recent addition of Kylian Mbappe, there may be even more tension within the team. It seems that not all of the players were on board with the Frenchman's transfer, potentially causing disharmony within the squad. This news comes as a surprise since the club is fresh off a historic double-win and the addition of Mbappe was expected to only strengthen their already dominant team.
After a long wait, Indian Cricket team captain Virat Kohli finally hit his first test century since July 2023 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. This century not only helped Kohli break out of a rut but also gave India's second innings a much-needed boost with a lead of 533 runs against Australia at Perth's Optus Stadium. Kohli's confident and dominant performance, along with able partnerships with Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, has all but put a loss out of equation for India in the ongoing test. Celebrating his century, Kohli dedicated it to his wife Anushka Sharma, who has always been by his side through thick and thin.