Today, on the National Sports Day, India woke up to an amazing news. Paddler Bhavina Patel scripted history for India by securing a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. Bhavina has become the first Indian to win a medal in table tennis at the Paralympic Games.
This is also India’s first medal at this year’s Paralympics. The TT star has dedicated the medal to all those who have supported her in her journey. But it wasn’t an easy road for Bhavina.
A report in The Bridge mentions that Bhavina wanted to pursue teaching but was rejected at an interview due to her physical impairment. At this juncture, Bhavina's father saw an advertisement for the Blind People's Association (BPA). Soon, Bhavina's life transformed after she discovered table tennis and fell in love with it.
It was at the BPA that Bhavina was introduced to her coach and eventually she became a full-fledged table tennis player. And the rest is history!