Shooter Avani Lekhara leads India at Tokyo Paralympics closing ceremony

The 19-year-old medal-winning shooter, Avani Lekhara, who won gold and bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics, led the Indian contingent by carrying the tricolour national flag during the Games' Closing Ceremony.

After winning the gold earlier, Avani clinched a bronze medal in the Women's 50m air rifle 3 positions SH1 event.

"I'm feeling so happy, so grateful so elated for everything. When I won gold I was so happy that I couldn't believe it, I felt like I am on top of the world. I was so happy.
"I would like to dedicate my medal to all the Indians. All of them have supported me. I'm so thankful to each one of them," she said.

The Indian contingent finished their campaign at the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020, which concluded on September 5, at an all-time high by securing 19 medals, including five gold, eight silver, and six bronze medals. India sent its biggest ever contingent of 54 para-athletes across as many as nine sporting disciplines at the Games. Badminton and Taekwondo made their debut in Tokyo, both of which were represented by India.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which opened on August 24, featured 539 medal events across 22 sports. A total of 54 para-athletes from India across nine sports disciplines were featured in the Paralympic Games.

The Closing Ceremony saw a total of 11 members of the Indian contingent in attendance. The concepts underlying the Closing Ceremony were "Harmonious Cacophony" and "Moving Forward". The idea was to convey that Tokyo is "A City Where Differences Shine".

(ANI)