Lekhara, Ramakrishna clinch gold, Paris 2024 quotas in Chateauroux 2022 World Cup

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara returned to the international stage in style setting a new World Record en route clinching the gold medal on the opening day of the Chateauroux 2022 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup. 
 
In doing so, she also ensured the country its first quota for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Lekhara shot an impressive final score of 250.6 to break her own world record of 249.6 and take the gold ahead of Poland's Emilia Babska (247.6) and Anna Normann of Sweden (225.6) in the R2 - women’s 10m air rifle standing finals.

The 20-year-old from Rajasthan stayed ahead of the pack throughout right from the beginning, including her qualification round. Leading by 1.6 points after the penultimate round of the finals, Lekhara got a 10.8 in the final 24 th  shot while Babska managed a 10. The Indian shooter had the earlier record from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics when she shot to history with a score of 249.6 for the gold.

Minutes after Lekhara’s record breaking effort, Sriharsha Devaraddi Ramakrishna clinched the second gold and a Paris 2024 quota for India in R4- mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2, with a final score of 253.1. Slovakia’s Francek Tirsek (252.6) claimed the silver ahead of Tanguy De La Forest (230.3).

Meanwhile, the team of Rahul Jakhar, Singhraj and Nihal Singh claimed the silver medal in P3- Mixed 25m Pistol SH1 event. Led by the Paralympic medallist Sighraj, the Indian team finished with a total score of 1655 behind China (1707). Poland (16104) took the bronze.

Praising the entire team, an elated Paralympic Committee of India President Deepa Malik tweeted: “Emotions running high as a young gun takes India's baton forward by winning a Gold and our 1st Paris 2024 quota with a WR. It's such a pride feeling to see para players defining the new shining India! Congratulations to Avani, all medalists & the entire team!

Meanwhile, Chief National Coach J.P. Nautiyal said: “Today we came to the competition anticipating a quota and a gold, and the day ended with two gold and two Paralympic quotas. So, it was definitely a delight and a proud moment for us.” 

India has been represented by 13 shooters at this season opening World Cup in Chateauroux, France.

On Wednesday, Paralympic medallist Manish Narwal and Singhraj would be in action in the P6 - 10m air pistol mixed team event.