Avani Lekhara says Paris 2024 will “always hold a special place in my heart”
India’s shooting Para sport star Avani Lekhara celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in a special Instagram Broadcast Channel takeover 08 Sep 2025
One year since winning her second Paralympic gold medal, Indian shooting Para sport star Avani Lekhara celebrated the special milestone, saying Paris 2024 will “always hold a special place in my heart.”
“I can’t believe it’s one year since Paris 2024,” she said in a @Paralympics Instagram Broadcast Channel takeover. “Paris was super special for me as I went in as a defending champion. It was a mix of lows and excitement.”
Lekhara was one of roughly 4,400 athletes who competed at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which took place from 28 August – 8 September. She won one of India’s seven gold medals at the Games.
Celebrating a special day
Lekhara took over the @Paralympics Instagram Broadcast Channel on 30 August 2025, the day that holds deep personal meaning for her.
“A fun fact – both my Tokyo gold and my Paris gold happened on the same exact day, 30 August, three years apart. It feels kind of meant to be, right?”
At Tokyo 2020, she became the first-ever female athlete from India to top the podium at a Paralympic Games. She was just 19 and arrived in the Japanese capital thinking it would be an opportunity to gain experience competing against the world’s best.
She made history, winning gold in the R2 – women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event and later claimed bronze in the R8 – women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event.
Three years later, she took to the range at Chateauroux Shooting Centre as the defending champion, with more spotlight and added pressure. She scored 249.7 points in the R2 – women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, finishing 2.9 points ahead of Republic of Korea’s Yunri Lee. Lekhara was joined on the podium by fellow Indian Mona Agarwal, who captured bronze.
A surreal defense
Her victory at Paris 2024 was emotional and unforgettable. Just like at Tokyo 2020, where she made her Paralympic debut, her mother was by her side.
“My mother has been my lucky charm, with me on both the special days three years apart,” Lekhara explained.
She said that her day got even busier after winning gold with many interview requests from Indian and international media. But at the end of the day, she had time to embrace her accomplishment, she said, posting a photo of her gold medal resting on her bedside table next to the Paris 2024 mascot Phryge, capturing a quiet moment of celebration in her own space.
Lessons from Paris
Beyond her achievements on the range, Lekhara hopes her journey can encourage others to look beyond disability and believe in their own potential.
“I really hope that people will take away from my journey that ability matters more than disability,” she said. “If I can do this, honestly, anyone can go after their dreams too.”
“That’s what I want people to feel when they see my story.”
Lekhara, who sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of an accident in 2012, also emphasised the importance of improving accessibility and fostering inclusion around the world.
“Don’t add inclusion later, inclusion can’t be an afterthought,” she said.
“Build it from the start. Paris showed us how powerful it is when everything is already accessible. It makes such a difference for athletes like me. That is the kind of world I’d like to see.”
Discover more about shooting Para sport and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
