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Indian para-athletes continued putting on respectable showings at the Tokyo Paralympics on Day 4.
The day started with Bhavina Patel's all-important semifinal clash against Chinese counterpart Zhang Miao. Having already secured a bronze medal for the nation earlier, the 34-year-old looked determined to keep pushing further. She pulled off a historic victory against her opponent to assure India of silver whilst booking her spot in Sunday's gold medal match.
Following Bhavina's event, Indian archers Shyam Sundar and Rakesh Kumar went into action in Tokyo. While Shyam lost to USA's Matt Stutzman, Rakesh got the better of Hong Kong's Chuen K Ngai to progress to the next round.
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How did India fare on Day 4 of the Tokyo Paralympics?
The Indian contingent had as many as four events scheduled for Day 4 of the Tokyo Paralympics 2021. While Bhavina Patel stole the limelight, the other athletes put up brilliant fights in their respective events.
Here's a summary of how the Indian athletes performed through the course of Day 4 at the Tokyo Paralympics:
Bhavina Patel progresses to finals to ensure silver medal for India
Indian paddler Bhavina Patel already made headlines yesterday after securing India's first medal at the Tokyo Paralympics 2021. Today, she went a step further to book her spot in the finals, assuring at least a silver medal.
Bhavina was up against China's Zhang Miao in a thrilling semifinal contest. At the end of the first two games, the scoreline was tied 1-1 and the contest was all set to go down to the wire.
The 34-year-old then upped her game and took the third game with a brilliant seven-point victory over the Chinese. However, Zhang returned strongly and leveled the scores once again with a victory in the fourth game.
The match finally moved to a thrilling decider where Bhavina managed to get the better of her opponent to come out on top 3-2 (7-11, 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8). With it, she booked a spot in the finals, becoming the first Indian Paralympian to do so in table tennis.
Indian archer Shyam Sundar knocked out of Tokyo Paralympics
21st-seeded Shyam Sundar of India was up against 2012 Paralympic silver medalist Matt Stutzman in the Round of 16 of the men's archery event.
The contest was evenly matched for the most part, with the two competitors going neck-and-neck on the scoreline, which was 55-all at the halfway mark. However, Matt managed to hold his nerve in the second half of the competition, with a 30/30 fourth end.
Eventually, the contest ended with the scoreline reading 142-139 in favor of the American and Shyam was eliminated from the Tokyo Paralympics 2021.
Rakesh Kumar storms into pre-quarterfinals
India's Rakesh Kumar came into the Paralympics with momentum on his side after winning the Para-Archery World Championships earlier in 2021.
He was matched up against Hong Kong's Chuen K Ngai in the Round of 16. Shooting nine perfect 10s, with four closest to center, the 36-year-old comfortably cruised to victory with a score of 144 out of a maximum possible 150. His Hong Kong counterpart, on the other hand, only managed to score a 131 in response.
With the victory, Rakesh moved a step closer to the podium and will now face Slovakia's Marian Marecak on August 31 for a semifinal berth.
Disappointing end to Ranjeet Bhati's Paralympics
Participating in the final of the men's javelin throw F57, India's Ranjeet Bhati couldn't manage a single valid throw in his six attempts, ending with no score in the competition.
That put an early end to the Indian Paralympic's Tokyo campaign.
India Paralympics 2021: Medal tally and standings after Day 4
At the end of Day 4 of the Tokyo Paralympics, China advanced their lead in the medal tally with 77, including 30 gold, ahead of Great Britain (43) and RPC (41).
India are yet to open their medal account at the Tokyo Paralympics. While Bhavina Patel has ensured silver, many of the other medal prospects are yet to feature in the Games.
