<p>Avani Lekhara is aware that there would be great expectations for her performance in the Paris Games the following year after her exploits in the Tokyo Paralympics, but the pressure to succeed serves as a driving factor for this “golden girl” of Indian parashooting.</p>
<p>“I wouldn’t claim that pressure doesn’t exist. I’ve seen a lot of individuals who know me and are supporting me after winning gold in Tokyo. There are big expectations as well, but it only drives me to keep improving,” Avani, who took home two gold and one bronze medal from the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, said in an interview with PTI Bhasha.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-291906″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/theindiaprint.com-what-impact-does-zero-gravity-have-on-fire-lets-investigate-2023-11largeimg-104857.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com what impact does zero gravity have on fire lets investigate 2023 11largeimg 104857″ width=”1519″ height=”1033″ title=”Shooter Avani Lekhara is the exclusive focus for the Paralympics in Paris next year 3″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/theindiaprint.com-what-impact-does-zero-gravity-have-on-fire-lets-investigate-2023-11largeimg-104857.jpg 722w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/theindiaprint.com-what-impact-does-zero-gravity-have-on-fire-lets-investigate-2023-11largeimg-104857-220×150.jpg 220w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/theindiaprint.com-what-impact-does-zero-gravity-have-on-fire-lets-investigate-2023-11largeimg-104857-150×102.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1519px) 100vw, 1519px” /></p>
<p>She said, “I think it is my responsibility to give it my all every time I step onto the field because I feel like a lot of people look up to me.”</p>
<p>Avani, who was born in Jaipur in November 2001, has been confined to a wheelchair since a car accident in 2012.</p>
<p>2015 saw a boom in her shooting career thanks to Olympic winner Abhinav Bindra. Junior world records marked the beginning of her career, but it was the Tokyo Paralympics, where she won two medals—gold in the 10m air rifle SH1 and bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions SH1—that made her a household name.</p>
<p>I focus on each day as it comes. All I want to do is give it my all and be here now. I dislike looking too far into the future or dwelling on the past. The Padma Shri and Khel Ratna award winner said, “As the major competitions are over for this year, the focus is on the Paris Paralympics and winning more medals for the country.”</p>
<p>“I am competing in many Paralympic events in Paris. The 22-year-old said, “I can’t foresee the medal; all I want is to be able to say that I gave it my all when I finish.</p>
<p>At the most recent Hangzhou Asian Para Games, Avani also took home a gold medal in the 10m air rifle SH1 category. Paraathletes with lower limb disability are intended to compete in rifle events under the SH1 classification.</p>
<p>She has no desire to modify her exercise regimen. But she would be more concerned about growing from her errors.</p>
<p>“Training is the same because I think the tried-and-true recipe shouldn’t be altered. I’m concentrating on my advantages and taking lessons from my errors. I’m hoping to learn from those errors and provide even better work in Paris,” she said.</p>
<p>Avani is now training in her native city of Jaipur, but she wouldn’t mind going overseas before the Paralympics in Paris.</p>
<p>“We have camps in Delhi in addition to Jaipur, where I am training. The federation is preparing something, but I’m not sure about training overseas,” she said.</p>
<p>She aims for a larger medal haul in Paris and is pleased with the exposure para sports and paraathletes are receiving in India.</p>
<p>“I have seen several variations in the general situation of parasports in India. In the past, it wasn’t as inclusive and there wasn’t much awareness, but now days, people speak about us and acknowledge us. In the next big competition, we will hit many milestones if everyone continues to support us, Avani stated.</p>
<p>She answered, “I don’t want to say that,” when asked whether she thought her career was at its height. I’m simply having fun with my game. I began in 2015, so eight years have passed since then.</p>
<p>“Age is irrelevant in the sport of shooting; all I want to do is keep giving it my all.” She said, “I want to continue competing against the best in the world.”</p>
