Paris 2024: Focused Lekhara defends Paralympic gold, Tanguy finally gets first medal

There were nerves, challenges and a lot of expectations.

But top rifle shooter Avani Lekhara lived up to all, defending her Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold and winning India's first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, in the Chateauroux shooting range on Friday (30 August). 

Lekhara, qualifying in second place, put up a incredible show of shooting that was highlighted by consistency and control in the R2 - women's 10m air rifle standing SH1. 

The 22-year-old Indian went on to end with a Paralympic record score of 249.7 points after a neck-and-neck battle with Korean star Lee Yunri (246.8). 

“It feels very nice to win another gold medal for my country and to defend my title, very nice.”

“It feels great to share the podium with her (Mona Agarwal). It's a great motivation to have her on the podium,” Lekhara added of her Mona Agarwal who finished with the bronze in her first Paralympics.  

Emotional first

In he R4 - mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 finals, veteran Frenchman Tanguy De La Forest settled for the silver but this was a special medal for him - winning the first medal in his sixth Paralympics, since Athens 2004, and moreover at home. 

"I feel very good. It's amazing. I have my family, my wife here, and it is beautiful to win a medal here."

"We have a lot of pressure on us, but it's not easy to see past what you are doing. I was focused. I have worked a lot in the last four years, and it is amazing to win this medal."

The 46-year-old world champion finished just 0.2 point behind Slovakian Francek Gorazd Tirsek who achieved a Paralympic record score of 253.3 en route the gold. 

It was Tirsek's first Paralympic gold after three silver and a bronze in the three previous Games.

"This is my day. This is my history. I am so happy. This is big time for me," said the Slovenian.

Huntae Seo of South Korea finished in third place (231.7).

First Paralympic gold for Jeongdu 

Meanwhile, South Korea went one better in the P1 - men's 10m air pistol SH1 final as Jeongdu Jo won his first Paralympic gold medal.  The Korean reached the podium in all three events on day one, with a medal of each colour.

Jo's campaign of 237.4 included a couple of 10.8s as he surprised stars like China's Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Yang Chao and India's Manish Narwal, the reigning world champion, to emerge winner. 

“This does not feel real. It is not the same as training. You have to concentrate harder and find your inner peace.”

“My wife and unborn child. This is for them.”

Narwal took the silver medal (234.9) followed by Yang Chao of China with bronze (214.3).

Competition at the shooting Para sport continues on 31 August with Men's R1 and Women's P2 finals.