At just 11 years of age, Avani Lekhara’s life was turned upside down. A devastating car accident left her with a spinal cord injury, taking away the use of her legs and shattering the world she once knew. For many, it might have meant the end of childhood dreams. But for Avani, it became the beginning of a journey that would inspire an entire nation.
Now, in 2025, Avani is preparing to take aim once again—this time at the World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, scheduled from October 25 to November 5. With her sights fixed on the bull’s eye, she is not just chasing medals but continuing her mission of proving that barriers exist only to be broken.
“Avani is the true face of courage—her quiet determination, her relentless spirit and her ability to rise every single time define her far beyond medals. She inspires not just as a champion shooter, but as a champion of life,” said her coach Suma Shirur, summing up the essence of her protégé.
“Taking things as they unfold is what I do, and I want everyone to know that there is no disparity between the able-bodied and us (para-athletes). There should be no difference between the two,” said Avani, the recipient of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Padma Shri awards.
Those early days were filled with pain, doubt and questions no child should face. Yet Avani found strength in her parents’ belief in her. They encouraged her to step into new worlds, first archery, then shooting. The rifle became more than just a sport. It was her escape, her therapy, her way of proving to herself and the world that nothing could cage her spirit.
In Tokyo 2020, Avani stood on the firing line, calm and unshaken. Shot after shot, she defied every barrier life had placed before her. When her final bullet struck gold, history was made—India’s first Paralympic gold by a woman, sealed with a record-breaking score. Days later, she added a bronze, becoming the first Indian female Paralympian to win two medals at a single Games. The girl once confined by circumstances was now soaring on the world stage.
Also read: Indian archer duo Sheetal-Rakesh enter Paralympics semis
But Avani’s victories cannot be measured in medals alone. They are in the countless young people with disabilities who now see themselves in her story. They are in the stadiums slowly adding ramps, in schools rethinking accessibility and in policymakers paying attention to voices once ignored. Avani uses her platform not just to celebrate triumph, but to demand change—for dignity, equality and inclusion.
Even as she trains to defend her titles, Avani pursues her LLM in law, driven by a dream to become a judge. For her, the law is as powerful as the rifle—it can protect, empower and restore justice. She often says that knowing the law can give people the courage to stand tall, no matter what their circumstances.
Avani’s story is not just about overcoming disability, it is about redefining possibility. She is a reminder that strength is not the absence of struggle, but the will to rise each time life tries to push you down. Her journey tells every person facing hardship: you are more than your limitations, and your spirit can rewrite destiny.
By Joe Williams
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