On early Sunday morning, Bhavina Patel led Twitter trends after winning India’s first medal at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020. In Para Table Tennis, she won a prestigious silver medal after Zhang Miao of China, a silver medalist in Rio 2016, defeated her.
The 34-year-old Ahmedabad resident, who picked up table tennis to keep fit during her graduation years, did not give up and fought until the last finish. Bhavina also made history by becoming the first Indian Paralympic athlete to win a medal in Para Table Tennis.
On social media, people congratulated Patel on her victory and said she had done the country proud. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that “The remarkable Bhavina Patel has scripted history!” She is the first woman to win a Silver medal in the history of the Olympic Games. For that, he congratulate her. Her story is inspiring, and it will inspire more young people to participate in sports.
The remarkable Bhavina Patel has scripted history! She brings home a historic Silver medal. Congratulations to her for it. Her life journey is motivating and will also draw more youngsters towards sports. #Paralympics
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2021
Cricketer Virender Sehwag tweeted wishes for victory of Bhavina Patel as he wrote, “Congratulations to #BhavinaPatel for creating history by winning India’s first silver medal in women’s singles class 4 table tennis event at the ongoing #TokyoParalympics. A wonderful display of focus, hardwork and mental strength.”
Congratulations to #BhavinaPatel for creating history by winning India's first silver medal in women's singles class 4 table tennis event at the ongoing #TokyoParalympics .
A wonderful display of focus , hardwork and mental strength. pic.twitter.com/Ijh9LmfBTo— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 29, 2021
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was too happy about the win as she tweeted, “Congratulations #BhavinaPatel on winning the Silver medal in #ParaTableTennis. Your perseverance and success shall shall as motivation for many. #TokyoParalympics.”