Paris Paralympics 2024: Rubina Francis Wins Bronze in Air Pistol SH1 Event

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India's Rubina Francis won a bronze medal in the women's air pistol SH1 event final to continue the strong show from the country's para shooters in the Paris Paralympics 2024 on Saturday (August 31).

Competing in a top-class field consisting of the defending champion and world record holder among others, the 25-year-old Rubina held her own to score a total of 211.1 for a third-place finish in the eight-woman final.

Iran's Javanmardi Sareh won her third successive Paralympics gold with a total score of 236.8 while world record holder Ozgan Aysel of Turkey took the silver with 231.1 in a fierce competition between the two favourites.

Earlier on Saturday (August 31), Rubina, who finished seventh in Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, had qualified for her second successive final at seventh spot in the qualification round with a total of 556-13x.

She is India's first woman pistol shooter to win a Paralympics medal. She had secured the Paris Paralympics quota under the bipartite (wildcard) rule a few days before the contingent's departure for the French capital.

A daughter of mechanic in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Rubina was born clubfooted. She took up the sport, inspired by her admiration for legendary Indian shooter Gagan Narang's Olympic achievements.

Her story is an example of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of sport in overcoming adversity. She was competing in her second Paralympics, having finished seventh in the final in Tokyo three years ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Rubina's bronze-winning effort. "Yet another proud moment for India as @Rubina_PLY wins a Bronze in the P2 - Women's 10M Air Pistol SH1 event at the #Paralympics2024. Her exceptional focus, determination, and perseverance have given outstanding results," Modi tweeted.

This was India's fourth medal in shooting and fifth overall at the Paris Paralympics. On Friday (August 30), Avani Lekhara had created history by successfully defending her women's 10m air rifle gold medal which she had clinched in Tokyo Paralympics, with compatriot Mona Agarwal clinching the bronze in the same event.

Manish Narwal then added a silver medal in the men's 10m air pistol (SH1). In SH1 class, athletes are able to hold their gun without difficulty and shoot from a standing or sitting position in a wheelchair or chair.

There were a few shooters, who missed out on reaching the final of their respective events on both Friday and Saturday. Rudransh Khandelwal failed to qualify for the final in men's 10m air pistol (SH1), while Swaroop Unhalkar missed out on qualifying for the men's 10m air rifle (SH1) event.

Sriharsha Davareddi also had failed to progress to the final in the mixed 10m air rifle (SH2) event. But he will be hopeful of a better showing in the mixed 10m rifle prone (SH2) event.

Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal will also be eyeing more medals as the two medallists in Paris Paralympics 2024, will be competing in two more events in the coming days, when more shooting medals could be added to India's medal tally.