CWG 2022: Bhavinaben Patel won historic gold and Sonalben finished with bronze in the women’s singles event of Para Table Tennis at the Birmingham Games on Saturday.
CWG 22: Paralympic silver medalist Bhavinaben wins para table tennis Gold (Twitter Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bhavinaben Patel won Gold in Para Table Tennis women’s singles classes 3-5 category
- Sonalben Patel finished with a bronze in the same event
- Sonal overwhelmed Sue Bailey in straight sets by 3-0
Paralympic Silver medalist Bhavinaben Hasmukhbhai Patel became the first Para TT player to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games after she defeated Nigeria’s Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi by 12-10, 11-2, 11-9 in the women’s single class 3-5 final in Birmingham on Saturday.
Bhavinaben had a good start in the final against World No. 41 Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi of Nigeria. She took the opening game 12-10 in a close contest. She held her nerves to take the opening game. Bhavinaben was in tears after she realized the enormity of the achievement. She was trailing 2-9 in the third game but Bhavinaben produced a superb effort to win 8 straight points and the Gold medal. She became only the second para-athlete to win Gold after weightlifter Sudhir.
On the other hand, Sonalben Patel won the bronze medal in Para Table Tennis in the Women’s Singles Classes 3-5 category. Sonal overwhelmed Sue Bailey in straight sets by 3-0 (11-5, 11-2, 11-3). There were chances for a historic all-India final in the women’s singles event, but it was not to be as India’s Sonalben Patel lost 3-1 against Nigeria’s Ifechukwude Christiana.
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