India’s only female player to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games, Avani Lekhara, failed to qualify in the mixed 10m air rifle prone (SH1) event at the ongoing Paris Paralympic Games in Chateauroux on Sunday. The Rajasthani para-shooter finished 11th, while Sidhartha Babu ended 28th, with both missing out on the finals.
After winning her historic gold medal in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, Avani was unable to replicate that form despite a strong start in what is not her main event, ending the competition with a total score of 632.8. Meanwhile, Sidhartha aggregated 628.3 across six series.
Avani’s exit from this event doesn’t mean her exit from the Paris Paralympics. The 22-year-old will also compete in the Women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event, in which she won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Avani’s performance
Avani’s sequence of scores was 105.7, 106.0, 104.1, 106.0, 104.8, and 106.2, while Sidhartha’s scores were 104.6, 103.8, 105.7, 104.9, 103.6, and 105.7.
On Friday, Avani won the gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle (SH1) event, successfully defending her title with a world record score.
What is the SH1 category?
In the SH1 category, athletes are able to hold their gun without difficulty and can shoot from a standing or sitting position (in a wheelchair or chair).
