Paralympics 2020: Paddler Bhavina Patel secures silver medal, to play for gold tomorrow

India's para table tennis player Bhavina Patel continued her dream run in the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics on Saturday as she stormed into the gold medal match after defeating Zhang Miao of China 3-2 in her Class 4 match. She 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. Bhavina will take on world number one Chinese paddler Ying Zhou in the summit clash on August 29.

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 hard-fought 3-2 win over China's Miao Zhang in a class 4 semifinal. Credit: PTI Photo

The 34-year-old Patel, who had surprised even the Indian camp in this Paralympics with her sensational show, 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. Credit: PTI Photo

Patel, who plays in a wheelchair, lost the opening game in a tight contest. But she made a strong recovery, claiming the next two games to take a 2-1 lead. She will take on world number one Chinese paddler Ying Zhou in the summit clash on August 29. Credit: PTI Photo

Daughter of Hasmukhbhai Patel, a small-time shopkeeper at Sundhiya village in Gujarat's Mehsana district, she was not considered a bright medal prospect coming into the Games but she has made her maiden Paralympics a memorable one. In this photo, Bhavina’s family is seen watching her match. Credit: PTI Photo

Patel started playing the sport 13 years ago at the Blind People's Association at Vastrapur area of Ahmedabad where she was a student of ITI for people with disabilities. She reached world number two ranking in 2011 after winning a silver medal for India in PTT Thailand Table Tennis Championship. In October 2013, Patel won another silver in the women’s singles Class 4 at the Asian Para table tennis championships in Beijing. Credit: PTI Photo