Tokyo 2020 Paralympic: Bhavina Patel Creates History, Progresses To Quarter Finals In Table Tennis

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games: Bhavinaben Patel continues to play brilliantly. Bhavinaben is two steps away from becoming the first player to win a medal in table tennis for India.

(File Photo)

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games: India's table tennis player Bhavina Patel has created history at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Bhavina Patel is India's first woman player to reach the Paralympic quarterfinals. Bhavina has defeated Brazilian Joyce de Oliveira in the women's singles class 4 category at the Tokyo Games. Bhavinaben is just two steps away from winning a medal for India. 

In the Class 4 Round of 16 match, India's 34-year-old Patel won 12-10, 13-11, 11-6. She will now face Serbia's Borislava Peric Rankovich. If Bhavina manages to win the quarterfinals, she will reach the semifinals. 

Bhavina has admitted that she will have to do her best to win the semi-finals. She said, "My coach said play near the opponent's body and that's what I did. In the next round, I will take on the second-ranked player in the world and I have to do my best.''

Victory over Britain's Shackleton

Bhavina Patel had earlier won 3-1 over Great Britain's Megan Shackleton. Bhavinaben Patel had made it to the pre-quarterfinals after the win. Bhavinaben defeated Shackleton 11-7, 9-11, 17-15, 13-11 in a 41-minute match. Bhavina was ranked 12th in the world rankings, while Shackleton is ranked 9th.

In table tennis, however, India's second challenge is over. India's table tennis player Sonal Patel crashed out after losing both the group matches.