After a refreshing performance by Indian sportspersons at Tokyo Olympics 2020, the focus immediately shifted to the Tokyo Paralympics 2020. India has been performing quite well at the Games, with Indian table tennis player, Bhavina Patel creating history. The table tennis player signed off with a historic silver medal during her first Paralympic Games.
Also Read: Tokyo Olympics 2020: Why Is Russia Playing As ROC?
After going down 0-3 to world number one Chinese paddler, Ying Zhou, in the women’s singles class 4 final, Patel’s impressive run at the Games ended with a 7-11 5-11 6-11 loss to Zhou. The women’s singles summit clash lasted for 19 exciting minutes. Patel had suffered a loss to Zhou in her first group stage match earlier as well.
Patel, who was diagnosed with polio when she was 12 months old, had earlier defeated Miao Zhang of China (7-11 11-7 11-4 9-11 11-8) in the semifinal showdown. Patel had to defeat 2016 Rio Paralympics gold medallist, Borislava Peric Rankovic of Serbia to bag the silver medal and create history.
Bhavina Patel started playing the sport nearly two decades back. In an interview with NDTV, she revealed that she has always been motivated by legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s achievements and she wants to show him the medal when she is back to India.
“I have always been inspired by Sachin Tendulkar. I want to see him with my own eyes and i want to soak in all the motivational speeches from him that will give me even more confidence,” Bhavinaben Patel told the news portal.
She went on to talk about how she prepped for the Tokyo Paralympics and revealed, “Meditation is my strength. Table tennis is such a game, that it gets over in 10-15 minutes. This is the world’s second-fastest game. Hence, I control my mind through meditation, it helps me focus.”
Also Read: Here’s What The Tokyo Olympics Is Doing Different
“Everyone is scared of playing with the Chinese, I was a bit nervous. I have beaten them before. I think whoever is in front of you, you need to give your 100 per cent. My coach taught me how to play with players and move them with my body,” Patel added.
