Para shooter Avani Lekhara shares her tough journey of life in a wheelchair
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New Delhi, Jan 6 (NationPress) Indian para shooter Avani Lekhara conveyed her appreciation for the arduous journey of transitioning into a para-athlete, while emphasizing the significance of mental health in reaching championship status.
At just 10 years old, Avani, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, experienced paralysis from the waist down due to a car accident. Refusing to let her circumstances deter her, she embraced the sport of shooting in 2015, ultimately achieving success in various national and international competitions. In 2020, Avani made history by becoming the first Indian woman to secure a Paralympic gold medal during the Tokyo Games.
“My journey has been akin to a roller coaster. I wasn’t given anything on a platter; I had to begin from scratch. Before my accident, I was a totally different child, engaged in dancing, singing, and other hobbies. Restarting life in a wheelchair was incredibly challenging. Everything about your life changes. You even have to relearn how to sit,” she shared on the House of Glory podcast, an initiative by the Olympic medallist Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation.
She elaborated, “When I began shooting, I encountered numerous challenges. However, I take pride in everything I've accomplished, as well as the mistakes and failures I faced, which have been invaluable learning experiences for me. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Avani also highlighted the crucial role of mental strength in her sport, which significantly influences the outcome of competitions.
“Enhancing my mental well-being is as vital as physical training in shooting. I engage in numerous mental training exercises as I believe shooting is approximately 70-80 percent a mental game. All eight finalists are in similar situations, but the athlete who can concentrate and focus better, utilizing their mental strength, will emerge victorious that day,” Avani stated.
Reflecting on her failures, Avani described how her attitude has shifted positively over the years, aiding her career development. She further explained her growth through learning from her setbacks.
“In every competition where I didn’t perform well, I focused on what I could learn from it. This mindset has been instrumental in refining my technique and advancing my career because, as I mentioned, lows are just as crucial as the highs. I believe that while highs may not impart much wisdom, lows offer substantial lessons,” she concluded.
