Exclusive: Avani Lekhara On Para-Athletics In India & Her Training For Upcoming World Cup

In this India Today special report, star para-shooter Avani Lekhara discusses her recent ramp walk in Delhi, secret preparations for the 2026 season, and managing the pressure of expectations. On the nervousness that comes with being a top athlete, Lekhara stated, 'second Paralympics was much tougher than the first one and I think it will be same for him as well and we were going with a lot of expectations and there was nervousness, there was jitters...'. She reveals she is training for an upcoming World Cup in the UAE this month. Lekhara also details a significant overhaul of her equipment, including a new rifle and shooting wheelchair, as she prepares for the 2026 Asian Para Games and World Para Shooting Championships. She shares her perspective on the growth of para-sports in India, following the country's record medal haul at the recent World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi.