Tokyo Paralympics: Bhavina Patel Sails Into Table Tennis Semis With Stunning Performance

Bhavina Patel semifinals: Indian paddler Bhavina Patel has made it through the table tennis quarterfinals at the Tokyo Paralympics with a phenomenal game.

She books a spot for herself in the semifinals of the class 4 table tennis category after defeating world number two Serbian champion Borislava Rankovic 3-0. Patel recorded wins of 11-5, 11-6, 11-7.

According to news agency PTI, Patel was notably the first-ever Indian to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Paralympics - a victory she clinched by defeating Brazil's Joyce de Oliveira, who is world number eight in the game. 34-year-old Patel is at world number 12.

India this year has sent its largest contingent to the Paralympics in Japan. Read about some top players here.

Bhavina Patel Semifinals Entry: A Long, Hard-Fought Success

Patel, currently number two table tennis champ in the country, plays in a wheelchair. She hails from Gujarat where she picked up the &t=30s">sport as just another hobby, as per reports. She displayed immense talent and kickstarted her career in the game at the young age of 17.

She has raked in multiple silvers and golds for India, playing internationally in Thailand and China. The para table tennis star is an Eklavya awardee. As a class 4 athlete, Patel's impairment could range between a lower spinal cord lesion or cerebral palsy.

The road to her many accolades and global recognition hasn't been an easy one by any measure. Braving financial crises and other social hurdles, Patel carved a place for herself near the top on the gaming scoreboard. Read her inspiring journey here.

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