Avani had finished second in the qualification for the event, and made a slow start in the final with scores of 9.8 and 9.7 in the first two shots. However, she gathered momentum with a strong finish in the remaining three shots of the first series (10.1, 10.9 and 10.3).
Her position fluctuated between fifth and sixth for a large part of the first and second series before a poor set of shots from Sweden’s Anna Norman and Ukraine’s Iryna Schchetnik gave her rank a boost.
Avani faced occasional hiccups in the elimination round with two successive scores of 9.9 in the final series, but she recovered with a strong 10.5 in the final shot to stay alive for medal contention.
In the bronze medal shoot-off, Avani showed tremendous composure to shoot a 10.5 again. Schchetnik, meanwhile, fumbled and scored a 9.9, missing a chance for a podium finish. Avani finished with a score of 445.9.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate Avani Lekhara on her second medal at the Games. “More glory at the Tokyo #Paralympics. Elated by the stupendous performance of @AvaniLekhara. Congratulations to her on bringing home the Bronze medal. Wishing her the very best for her future endeavours. #Praise4Para,” wrote PM Modi.
News Source: India Today