Shooter Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Paralympics when she clinched the top spot with a world record-equalling score of 249.6 at the Tokyo Paralympics on Monday. Lekhara also set a new Paralympic record as the 19-year-old became the fourth Indian athlete to win a Paralympics gold after swimmer Murlikant Petkar (1972), javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia (2004 and 2016) and high jumper Thangavelu Mariyappan (2016). Wishes and tributes poured in for Lekhara with Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the first to congratulate the Indian shooter.
"Phenomenal performance @AvaniLekhara! Congratulations on winning a hard-earned and well-deserved Gold, made possible due to your industrious nature and passion towards shooting. This is truly a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes for your future endeavours," tweeted PM Modi.
President Ram Nath Kovind congratulated Lekhara for "creating history".
Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Tokyo 2020 for India handles on Twitter also posted wishes for Lekhara.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur called it a "historic achievement".
Former Paralympian Deepa Malik posted a video to congratulate Lekhara.
Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals also tweeted.
Lekhara's gold was followed by two silver medals and a bronze as Yogesh Kathuniya won silver in men's discus throw (F56) and Devendra Jhajharia and Sundar Singh Gurjar won silver and bronze respectively in men's javelin (F46) event at the Paralympics on Monday.