In the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics, Bhavina Patel pulled of an upset and became the 1st TT player to secure medal for India by defeating the world no. 5 Borislava Peric Rankovic. The 34-year-old Paralympian paddler was playing her quarter final against her Serbian quarter final. The match lasted for only 18-minutes and ultimately, Bhavina emerged victorious.

Contents hide
1. Details
2. How is Bhavina Sure to Win a Medal?
3. Reaching Quarter Final
4. Winning The Crucial Game Comprehensively
5. “Can Win Semi-Final If…”: Patel on Her Silver Medal Game
6. Silver Medal Winner Ravi Kumar Dahiya Applauds Patel

Details

After a relatively lukewarm beginning of the Tokyo Paralympics, with several Indian Paralympians losing their games, finally Bhavina Patel brought smiles to the faces of Indian fans. Not only did she win her quarter final match against her Serbian opponent, but she also scripted history by defeating an opponent who had won the gold medal in the Rio Paralympics back in 2016.

How is Bhavina Sure to Win a Medal?

According to rules, all the 4 semifinalists will be given at least a bronze medal. This rule was introduced in 2017 when the governing board of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) approved the request of International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) request of removing the third-play-off in medal events and duly reward bronze medal to both the semi-finalists, despite the results.

Also Read: Amit Khatri Wins Silver for India in U-20 World Athletics Meet Championship

Reaching Quarter Final

Earlier today, Bhavina had scripted history once again when she went on to beat Brazilian Joyce de Oliveria in the Round 16 of the Paralympics table tennis tournament. She beat Joyce in a close 12-10, 13-11 and 11-6 match. With her victory over Oliveria, she became the first ever Indian table tennis Paralympian who had ever reached the quarterfinals of the Paralympics.

Winning The Crucial Game Comprehensively

But Bhavina wasn’t done. In the crucial bout against Serbia’s Borislava Peric Rankovic, she looked at her absolute best. The 34-year-old bested an opponent who was already the reigning Paralympic gold winner. In her 18-minute bout, she never let her opponent get an advantageous position and comprehensively registered an 11-5, 11-6 and 11-7 victory.

After her match, Deepa Malik, the Paralympic Committee of India took to Twitter and shared a video message where she said, “It is sure that we can see a medal from her. Tomorrow morning’s match (semifinal) is a huge decider what colour of the medal she will win.”

Also Read: “Medal Zaroori Hai”: How Bajrang Punia Risked Breaking his Leg to Clinch Olympics Medal

“Can Win Semi-Final If…”: Patel on Her Silver Medal Game

Bhavina’s next trial by fire will be on August 28, Saturday as she will be taking on Zhang Miao from China. Although she’s sure to win at least a bronze medal, she appealed to the citizens of India to support her in winning the semifinal game and clinching the silver, and even, the gold.

After her quarterfinal match, she was quoted by reports saying, “I could win my semifinal match due to the support of the people of India. Please keep supporting me so that I can win my semifinal match,” Patel said after the quarterfinal match.

So far, Indian Paralympians have clinched medals in athletics, swimming and powerlifting. Bhavina’s medal is all the more glorious as it comes from a category, Indian Paralympians were considered to be relatively weaker.

Also Read: After Neeraj Chopra, Devendra Jhajharia Eying Third Gold Medal at Tokyo Paralympics

Silver Medal Winner Ravi Kumar Dahiya Applauds Patel

After her victory, several netizens took to Twitter to laud her and give her the best wishes. Among them was Olympic silver medal winner Ravi Kumar Dahiya who tweeted, “C’mon India – Bhavina Patel assures India a medal in Table tennis paddle and ball in the Tokyo Paralympic Games after a stunning win against the World No. 2, Borislava Rankovic!”