Paris Paralympics 2024: India have opened their account for medals at the Paris Paralympics 2024, as Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara have bagged Bronze and Gold medal respectively in Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 Final. The Indian duo outshone fellow competitors and with that, the Indian flag will be raised high in a matter of time at the medal ceremony.
Avani Lekhara has now bagged consecutive Gold medals in Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 Final event, and this, she breaks the all-time Paralympics record with a score of 249.7.
Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 Final - As It Happened
It was not an easy road for the likes of Anvi Lekhara and Mona Agarwal, as the duo was not able to manage finishing first in the qualification rounds. Iryna Shchetnik of Ukraine broke the Paralympics record for the best score in the qualification rounds with 627.5, and Avani Lekhara finished second in the qualification stages, followed by Mona Agarwal who finished 5th.
In the final, after a series of certain shots, eliminations were taking place. The eight competitors were competing for the glory and the first elimination happened between the Chinese duo of Cuiping Zhang and Yixin Zhong, with the former finishing eight, and was followed by her compatriot, who finished 7th.
Veronika Vadoviciva of Slovakia, who finished 3rd in the qualification stages, finished 6th via shootout, followed by Anna Benson of Sweden. The biggest shock took place when two-time World Cup gold medalist Mona Agarwal, who was competing in her first-ever Paralympics, eliminated Iryna Shchetnik of Ukraine, and with that, India was assured of atleast two medals.
At the end of the event, it was Avani Lekhara who finished first, followed by Yunri Lee of Republic of Korea at second, and Mona Agarwal at third.
Final Standings Of The Final
| Rank | Name | Country | Score |
| 1 | Avani Lekhara | India | 249.7 (PR) |
| 2 | Yunri Lee | Republic of Korea | 246.8 |
| 3 | Mona Agarwal | India | 228.7 |
| 4 | Iryna Shchetnik | Ukraine | 205.4 |
| 5 | Anna Benson | Sweden | 184.7 |
| 6 | Veronika Vadoviciva | Slovakia | 165.0 |
| 7 | Yixin Zhong | China | 143.2 |
| 8 | Cuiping Zhang | China | 120.2 |