Tokyo Paralympics: Paddler Bhavina storms into TT final, archer Rakesh moves into Round of 16

Bhavinaben registered a hard-fought 3-2 win over world No 3 Zhang Miao of China in the semifinal. With this, she also became the first Indian to enter the final of a table tennis event in the Paralympics.

Thirty-four-year-old Patel will now face world number one Chinese paddler Ying Zhou in the final on Sunday.

Bhavina’s run at the Tokyo Paralympics so far has been inspirational. She outclassed the reigning Paralympic champion, Serbia’s Borislava Perić-Rankovic in the quarter-final, Patel saw off Brazilian Joyce de Oliveira with relative ease in the Round of 16.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bhavina on her scintillating performance at Tokyo Paralympics, 2020.

Congratulations Bhavina Patel! You played excellently.

The entire nation is praying for your success and will be cheering for you tomorrow. Give your best and play without any pressure. Your accomplishments inspire the entire nation. #Paralympics

In other events of the day, Indian men’s compound archers had a mixed performance in the individual compound - Open event at the Yumenoshima Park, Tokyo.

While Rakesh Kumar beat Ngai Ka Chuen of Hong Kong, China 144-131 to move into the Round of 16, Shyam Sundar Swami lost to Matt Stutzman of the USA 142-139.

Rakesh Kumar will face Marian Marecak of Slovakia on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in the men's javelin throw (F57), India's Ranjeet Bhati bowed out of the competition failing to register a valid throw in his six attempts.