Tokyo Paralympics: Powerlifter Sakina Khatun Finishes 5th; Bhavinaben Enters TT Quarters
Powerlifter Sakina Khatun (File photo).
India's Sakina Khatun recorded a final lift of 93kg to finish fifth in the women's 50kg powerlifting event at the Tokyo Paralympics on Friday.
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Khatun, silver medallist at the 2018 Asian Paralympics and a bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Paralympic Games in 2014, lifted 90kg in her first attempt but was unable to go beyond that mark in her second lift. She, however, regrouped and managed the increment in her final attempt.
Hu Dandan of China won gold, lifting 120kg, while Egypt's Rehab Ahmed clinched silver, also lifting 120kg. Olivia Broome of Great Britain won bronze with a lift of 107 kg.
Bhavinaben in Quarters
Bhavinaben Patel became the first Indian table tennis player to enter the Paralympics quarterfinals with a dominating win over Joyce de Oliveira of Brazil in the women's singles Class 4 event.
The 34-year-old won 12-10, 13-11, 11-6 in the Round of 16 match that lasted 23 minutes. She will now meet Borislava Peric Rankovic of Serbia in the quarterfinals later on Friday.
Also Read | Full Schedule of Indians at Tokyo Paralympics
Rankovic is the World No. 2 and is one of the favourites for gold in Tokyo. Bhavinaben faces an enormous challenge. The Indian, who was on the offensive against De Oliveira, may have to employ a different tactic against Rankovic.
"My strategy was to play more towards the body of my opponent and that was what my coach told me. I executed my plans," Bhavinaben said after the match against the Brazilian.
"My next opponent is world number two, so I have to really focus on my game and hope to win the match," she added.
Bhavinaben is the only Indian left in the fray in table tennis. Sonal Ben Manubhai Patel lost both her group matches on Thursday to bow out of the competition.
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