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Tokyo Paralympics table tennis silver medallist Bhavina Patel is determined to do better against her Chinese rivals at the Paris Paralympics, starting August 28. She said they are not invincible. | Photo Credit: PTI
Tokyo Paralympics table tennis silver medallist Bhavina Patel is determined to do better against her Chinese rivals at the Paris Paralympics, starting on August 28, and says she is not invincible.
The first Indian paddler to win a medal in the Class 4 event in Tokyo, Bhavina, while departing for this year’s edition, said she would like to challenge the Chinese supremacy in table tennis as they are also “human beings”.
Bhavina told PTI video on Sunday (August 25, 204), “Chinese players are human and we are also human. China does not matter to me, even during the Tokyo edition I defeated a Chinese player, so there is no pressure on me to face them.” She added, “I have changed my strategy according to them, so I will adopt my best strategy against them on that day.”
The table tennis player from Mehsana in Gujarat, who is also a Commonwealth Games champion and Asian Games medallist, said her sole focus will be on giving her best. “There is no nervousness. I just have to give my best. I believe when we think of giving our best, nothing else comes to mind,” she said.
Her doubles partner Sonalben Patel said, “Bhavina and I have put in twice the effort in our training as a pair and we will try our best to return home with a medal.”
Krishna Nagar, gold medallist in the men’s singles badminton SH6 event at the Tokyo Paralympics, said his target would be to repeat his performance.
He said, “I hope everything goes well in Paris and I will try to win the gold medal for India again. I will give my best to defend my gold medal in Tokyo. The preparations have been good, I am feeling positive and will try to play safe.”
Shotput player Sachin Khiladi, who is participating in the Para Games for the first time, said that he is expecting at least a gold medal.
He said, “I am very excited, I have been preparing for the Paralympics for 1.5 years, I performed well in the World Championships and I expect a gold medal from myself because I have worked hard to achieve it.”
On how he handles the pressure of competing with the best athletes in the world, the player quipped, “The pressure is on them to compete with me because I consider myself the best.”
Budding discus throw athlete Sakshi Kasana said, “I have worked tirelessly to make this moment happen as representing your country at the Paralympics is the biggest thing for any athlete, so I hope my four years of hard work will pay off.”
PCI president and veteran para javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia claimed that India will be among the top countries in para sports.
He said, “I have 20 years of experience in para sports. I have won 3 medals. I know each player and their performance personally. With the kind of support we got from PM Modi, 50 players are going through the TOPS scheme.”
“Many players have received help under the CSR activity. We will win more than 25 medals. India will be in the top 20 in the medal tally.” He is also confident of seeing Sumit Antil defend his gold medal and hoist the national flag.
Jhajharia said, “Sumit will definitely defend his gold medal. Sumit is completely fit and has no injuries and he has full confidence in himself. Certainly the national anthem will be played and Sumit will win the gold medal.”
India has sent an 84-member team, its largest ever, to the Paralympic Games to be held in Paris from August 28 to September 8.
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