When I won gold I couldn’t believe it, I was so amazed: Avani Lekhara
The recently concluded 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo saw many medals for India, including several golds. Among those medals were two that belong to Avani Lekhara, as she scripted history for India in the Paralympics by becoming the first Indian to win two medals — gold in the women’s 10-m air rifle standing SH1 event and bronze in the women’s 50-m rifle 3 positions SH1 event.
For Avani, who has been looking forward to representing India in the Paralympics for five years, this is a dream come true. Undoubtedly, representing the country has been the biggest thing for her. “I am truly overwhelmed and can’t put my feelings in words,” she tells us, describing the feeling as a mix of deep satisfaction and pride.
“When I won gold I couldn’t believe it because I was so amazed and overwhelmed. I had to literally let my emotions run through and was waiting for the thoughts to sink in.”
When heading to the podium to collect her medal, what flashed through the 19-year-old’s mind was all the hard work and tough sessions of training that she put in to get here. “It was a very emotional moment, like it would be for any other athlete. I too wanted to represent India and feel the pride. I am ecstatic that I experienced it,” she says.
The key to her success
The night before the finals of the women’s 10-m air rifle standing SH1 event, in which she won gold, she recollected feeling nervous and excited, and all she wanted to enjoy was the experience of playing at the highest level.
“I think that’s what worked in my favour. I was going through several emotions and mixed feelings. But you have to believe in yourself and keep working hard because there are no shortcuts,” she says thinking back on those days. “So the fact that I kept my cool and never got carried away with the pressure around was significant in my success. I wanted to take one shot at a time, follow the process and not think too much about winning the medal.”
Two days after winning the gold, she won bronze in the 50-m air rifle SH1. “It was a historic moment and I felt happy to win another medal,” she says modestly.
Avani believes that her approach to the games was the key to her success. “I just went there to give my best and never had any agenda on the medal tally,” elaborates the teenager, who suffered from spinal cord disability after she sustained injuries in a car accident in 2012.
Finding inspiration in her dad
Currently pursuing her 4th semester of her five years’ integrated law course (BA-LLB) in Rajasthan, Avani is, however, in no mood for regrets or sympathy. “I felt very bad and have gone through tough times. But I learnt from my father to look at things optimistically. He always instilled positivity in me,” she articulates, clarifying that that attitude has transformed the way she looked at life.
And just as she does, perhaps the country owes it to Avani’s dad, for it was he who always insisted that Avani picked up some sport. The moment finally arrived in the summer of 2015 when her father took her to a shooting range in Rajasthan. “I had a go at it; I fired some shots and I felt cool about it,” she says.
She also tried her hand at archery, but after she began visiting and shooting at the range more often, the initial hobby eventually turned into a passion.
“Focus and consistency were the aspects that fascinated me about rifle shooting. I felt like ‘the connection’ came to me naturally and I started enjoying it, later even taking it on professionally,” she states.
Focusing on what’s ahead
Avani announced her arrival on the international stage when she won silver medals at the IPC Para Shooting World Cup in 2017 and at the Para Shooting World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, in 2019.
Describing her journey as a roller-coaster ride, she says, “I’ve seen ups and downs in my professional and personal career; what I’ve realised is that the quicker you adapt the more effective you can be,” she says matter-of-factly. Avani has been preparing for the event for the last three months, and was also part of the national camp for over two months, having gone through rigorous training — for both physical and psychological toughness.
“I did yoga and mental exercises to calm my nerves and to keep my focus on positive things,” added the sportswonder, who also loves listening to music, cooking and baking.
Incidentally, Avani grew up idolising 2008 Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, whose autobiography she even read. “I think that book became a major source of inspiration for me and made me stronger.
Now, as she turns into an inspiration herself, she merely seems overwhelmed by all the love coming her way. Her mobile, has been ringing non-stop and congratulatory messages kept pouring from her friends. “I am just grateful for having supportive parents, coaches and others who supported me in getting me to this stage. I’d like to dedicate these medals to all the Indians who encourage me,” she adds.
