Paris Paralympics 2024: Rubina Francis Secures Bronze Medal In Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1

New Delhi: The country’s para shooter Rubina Francis clinched bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol SH1 event at the Paris Paralympics 2024 on Saturday, August 31. It is India’s fourth medal in shooting at the 17th Summer Paralympic Games.
Rubina Francis, 25, from Madhya Pradesh, reached a total score of 211.1 to secure third position in the final. The event was taken first by Iran’s Sareh Javanmardi with 236.8, while the silver medal went to Turkey’s Aysel Ozgan with 231.1 points.
During the last elimination round that confirmed the medalists, it was between Canada’s Rubina Francis and Aysegul Pehlivanlar of Turkey. Rubina extended her lead with a 9.5 as Pehlivanlar scored 8.8. Though the 10.1 by Pehlivanlar did mount pressure on Rubina, she responded to seal the all-important 9.8 for the medal.
She was lying second in the overall standing in the final behind Turkey’s Aysel Ozgan, while Hungary’s Sareh Javanmardi was leading comfortably by a big margin. Rubina finished third eventually.
Rubina started poorly in the earlier qualification event as she scored below par in Series 1 but improved her accuracy in subsequent rounds. It was actually the final series that saw her qualify for the final.
Rubina failed to clinch medal in the Tokyo Olympics 2024 after qualifying for the final round. She secured gold medal in the World Shooting Para Sport Championships in AL Ain in 2022 which was her biggest achievement previously in international Tournaments.
Rubina Francis joined Avani Lekhara, of course – gold, Mona Agarwal – bronze, and Manish Narwal – silver, as India clinched its fourth medal in shooting at the Paris Paralympics 2024. A day earlier, Preethi Kumar won India’s first track medal in the 100m, while Suhas Yathiraj and Sukant Kadam confirmed two badminton medals by making it to the semi-finals on Saturday.