Congratulations poured in for Indian table tennis player Bhavina Patel who
won a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympic Games on Sunday after going down 0–3
to world number one Chinese paddler Ying Zhou in the women’s singles class four
final. Bhavinaben Patel, the 34-year-old paddler concluded her Paralympic run
with a 7–11, 5–11 and 6–11 loss to Ying Zhou, a two-time gold medallist.
The Indian paddler’s silver win came on the day India celebrates National
Sports Day. Deepa Malik, India’s first woman to win a Paralympic medal, said on
Twitter, “Congratulations Bhavina Patel so amazing to win a medal at Tokyo2020
on National Sports Day. Perfect day to bring home the metal…A gift for entire
nation.”
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind congratulated Bhavina Patel on her achievement. President Kovind said, “…Your extraordinary determination and skills have brought glory to India. My congratulations to you on this exceptional achievement.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The
remarkable Bhavina Patel has scripted history! She brings home a historic
Silver medal. Congratulations to her for it. Her life journey is motivating and
will also draw more youngsters towards sports.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also congratulated the table tennis player. He
said, “Congratulations to Bhavina Patel for winning the silver. India applauds
your achievement. You have done the nation proud.”
Indian cricketers VVS Laxman and Virender Singh Sehwag also congratulated
the paddler.
Several ministers and other political leaders also congratulated the tennis player.
Meanwhile, family members of the Paralympian silver medal winner performed
Garba to celebrate her win.
Bhavinaben Patel was diagnosed with polio when she was 12 months old.
Bhavina defeated world no 3 Miao Zhang of China 7-11 11-7 11-4 9-11 11-8 in the
semifinal showdown on Saturday to make her way to the finals and win the silver
medal.
In the quarterfinal on Friday, Patel had defeated 2016 Rio Paralympics gold
medallist and world number two Borislava Peric Rankovic of Serbia to assure a
medal and script history.
Bhavina hails from Sundhiya village in Gujarat’s Mehsana. The daughter of a
shopkeeper, Bhavina was not considered among India’s bright medal prospects at
the Paralympic Games.
“She has made us proud, we will give her a grand welcome
on her return,” Bhavina’s father Hasmukhbhai Patel told ANI in Mehsana,
Gujarat, where her friends and family members erupted in joy after her historic
medal was confirmed.
