Rubina Francis from India maintained her composure to secure the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol SH1 competition on Saturday, August 31. Rubina won the bronze medal by scoring 211.1 points at the Final Range in Paris’ Chateauroux.
The shooter, who is 25 years old, stayed in the top 4 for most of the competition and eventually finished in the podium positions.
The Indian shooter made it to the top 2 positions during her 19th and 20th shots, but was unable to maintain her position. She ended with a score of 211.1 points, trailing behind Sareh Javanmardi from Iran and Aysel Ozgan from Turkiye, who scored 236.8 and 231.1 points, in that order.
Also read: Paris Paralympics: Shooter Manish Narwal wins silver in 10m Air Pistol SH1 Final
Indian shooters continue to shine at Paralympics
Rubina was locked in intense rivalry with Sareh during shots 19-22. Nevertheless, the champion of the Tokyo Paralympics outperformed the other competitors by making a last-minute push for the top spot on the podium. Rubina carried on the remarkable achievements of India in shooting during the Olympics and Paralympics.
Who is Rubina Francis?
Rubina Francis, a renowned Para Shooter from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, has overcome major obstacles to achieve success in her sport. Born into a lower-middle-class family, Rubina experienced the additional challenge of having a leg dysfunction. Simon Francis, a mechanic and her father, faced challenges in financing her increasing interest in shooting.
Rubina began her shooting journey in 2015 after being inspired by Gagan Narang’s Olympic success. Her father’s unwavering efforts helped her overcome the financial obstacles to enroll at Pune’s Gun for Glory Academy in 2017.
Francis’s accomplishments go beyond her athletic ability. She has become a role model for young Indian girls, especially those with disabilities, who frequently encounter obstacles in following their aspirations. Her strong will and persistence are a demonstration of the effectiveness of effort and commitment.
