History for Bhavinaben at Tokyo Paralympics

Bhavinaben Patel during her quarter-final match yesterday. Pic/PCI

Bhavinaben Patel on Friday scripted history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to secure a medal in the Tokyo Paralympics, setting the tone for an upbeat contingent aiming for its best-ever finish at the Games.

Patel, competing in her maiden Paralympics, ensured a podium finish for herself by entering the semi-finals with a stunning straight-game win over World No. 2 and defending champion Borislava Peric Rankovic of Serbia in the women's singles Class 4 event.

Patel, who was diagnosed with polio when she was 12, beat her Serbian opponent 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 in the quarter-final match that lasted 18 minutes. "I could win my match today due to the support of the people of India. Please keep supporting me so that I can win my semi-final match," Patel said. She takes on Zhang Miao of China in the semi-finals.

Archer Rakesh grabs 3rd place

In archery, Indian compound archer Rakesh Kumar shot a career-best 699 points out of a possible 720 to grab the third place in the ranking round of the men's open section.

In the men's recurve open category, 2019 Asian Para Championship winner Vivek Chikara finished in Top-10. Another Indian in fray, Shyam Sundar Swami finished a lowly 21st with 682 points. World No. 22 Jyoti Baliyan, who is only the Indian female member to have qualified for the Paralympics, secured a 15th place ranking in the compound open event.

Sakina finishes fifth

In the day's other events, Indian powerlifter Sakina Khatun finished a creditable fifth in the women's 50kg category, while compatriot Jaideep failed to log a single legal lift in the men's 65kg event. The 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Khatun had the best effort of 93kg.

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