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CWG 2022: Bhavinaben Patel wins historic gold, Sonalben finishes with bronze in Para Table Tennis

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 8/8/2022 12:15:18 PM

Birmingham, Aug 7 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 pro\duced 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. Bhavina reached the world No. 2 ranking by winning the silver medal in the individual category at the 2011 PTT Thailand Open. Besides, she also won a silver medal in the women's singles class 4 at the Asian Para Table Tennis Championships in Beijing in 2013. In 2017, Bhavina bagged a bronze in the Asian Para Table Tennis Championships in Beijing. Sonalben Manubhai Patel also gave India a medal, claiming a bronze in women's singles class 3-5. The 34-year-old Indian beat England's Sue Bailey 11-5 11-2 11-3 in the bronze medal play-off. However, Raj Aravindan Alagar lost to Nigeria's Isau Ogunkunle 0-3 in the men's singles classes 3-5 bronze medal play.