Bhavinaben Patel continued to script history as she became the first Indian to enter the final of a table tennis event in the Paralympics with a 3-2 win over China’s Miao Zhang in a class 4 semifinal on Saturday. The 34-year-old stunned her world no. 3 Chinese opponent 7-11 11-7 11-4 9-11 11-8 in the semifinal showdown that lasted 34 minutes. She will take on world number one Chinese paddler Ying Zhou in the finals on Sunday.

“When I came here, I just thought that I would give my 100 per cent without thinking of anything. If you give 100%, the medal will come, that was what I thought,” Patel, who was diagnosed with polio when she was 12 months old, said after Saturday’s win. 

“If I continue with this confidence with the blessings of the people of my country, I think I will win gold tomorrow. I am ready for the final and I have to give 100% in the final also,” Patel added. 

Also Read: Tokyo Paralympics: Full list of Indian athletes

In the other events on Saturday, archer Rakesh Kumar stormed into the pre-quarterfinals while his teammate Shyam Sundar Swami made a second round exit on Saturday. 

Ranjeet Bhati failed to register a mark in Javelin final on Saturday. He was given an X for all six of his attempts. Despite several discussion with officials, none of his throws were deemed valid and a result of ‘No Mark’ was declared. He is now out of the medal contention.

Undoubtedly, all eyes will be on Bhavinaben Patel on Sunday as she competes in the women’s singles Class 4 finals. Jyoti Balyan will compete in the 1/16 Elimination round of the Archery event and will also be seen in action in the 1/8 Elimination Round of the Mixed Team Compound Open, where she has been paired with Rakesh Kumar. Vinod Kumar will compete in the Men’s Discus F52 final.

Here is a complete schedule:

Archery (6.55 am IST)- Women’s Individual Compound Open (1/16 Elimination) – Jyoti Balyan (India) vs Kerrie-Louise Leonard (Ireland)

Table Tennis (7.15 am) Women’s Singles Class 4 Final – Bhavina Patel (India) vs Ying Zhou (China)

Archery (9 am IST) – Mixed Team Compound Open (1/8 Elimination) – Jyoti Balyan & Rakesh Kumar (India) vs Homjanthuek Praphaporn & Anon Aungaphinan (Thailand)

Men’s Discus Throw F52 Final (3.55 pm IST)- Vinod Kumar

Men’s High Jump T47 Final (3:58 pm IST) – Nishad Kumar & Ram Pal Chahar