Avani, Manu laud Deaflympics shooters for record show in Japan

Paralympian Avani Lekhara and Olympian Manu Bhaker praised India’s best-ever performance at the recently-concluded 25th Summer Deaflympic Games held in Tokyo, where the country clinched 20 medals, including 9 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze medals. India finished sixth in the medal standings out of 62 participating nations.

Interestingly, deaf shooters fuelled India’s strong display at the Deaflympics, clinching a total of 16 medals, including 7 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze medals.

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Double Paralympic gold medallist Avani, who graced the medal ceremonies at the ongoing Khelo India University Games in Jaipur, said: “It’s really nice seeing India doing so good. We have especially seen a lot of medals coming up in shooting. I’m very happy and proud of them. I just want them to keep on doing this, and we also keep on supporting them as an audience so that they do better and better in upcoming years as well.”

Many of the Indian shooters won multiple medals at the Deaflympics. Mahit Sandhu led the medal charge, securing four medals, followed by Pranjali and Abhinav Deshwal, claiming three medals each, and Dhanush Srikanth pocketing two medals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated India’s Deaflympians for their extraordinary performance.

“Heartiest congratulations to our Deaflympians for their extraordinary performance at the 25th Summer Deaflympics 2025 in Tokyo. With a historic best-ever medal tally of 20 medals, including 9 Golds, our athletes have once again proven that determination and dedication can lead to outstanding results. Compliments to every athlete, coach and support staff. The entire nation is proud of you all!” PM Modi wrote on social media.

Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, who began her shooting journey by winning multiple medals in the Khelo India School Games back in 2017, said that she herself gets inspired by the resilience shown by specially-abled sportspersons.

“We ourselves get motivated when we watch specially-abled athletes performing so well in international competitions. It is their passion and their fighting spirit that inspires us. From my side I want to give my best wishes to each and every one of them and congratulate them for their amazing performances at the Deaflympics. We look up to you and if we can be of any help, we would love to help whenever needed,” Manu said.

Having won gold in the women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 category at the Khelo India Para Games 2025, Avani highlighted how the Government of India’s initiative has helped strengthen the grassroots-level sports ecosystem.

“Government of India, and especially SAI, is doing a really nice job because competitions like Khelo India University Games, especially for the athletes at the grassroots level, give them massive motivation. It gives them a platform to showcase their talent and serves as a launching pad for them to perform well in international events. If we see a lot more competition coming up at the grassroots level, we’ll see more elite-level athletes in the future,” Avani signed off.