World No.1 para-shuttler Pramod Bhagat lived up to his billing as he stormed into the men's singles badminton SL3 final.
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World No. 1 para-shuttler Pramod Bhagat stormed into the men’s singles badminton SL3 final of the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics on Saturday. Pramod defeated Japan’s Fujihara Daisuke in just 36 minutes in the semi-final to record a comprehensive win. The world champion defeated the Japanese shutter 21-11, 21-16, showcasing a wide array of strokes and supreme dominance. The 34-year-old looked quite comfortable against Daisuke, assuring India of another silver medal. Pramod further became India’s first paralympic badminton finalist which is commendable, to say the least. The 34-year-old will take on D. Bethell of Great Britain in the final.
A triumph for Manoj Sarkar in the other semi-final of the same event would have made the final an all Indian affair. However, he suffered a defeat against Bethell, and will be seen taking on Japan’s Fujihara in the bronze medal match.
Manoj was handed a (0-2) 8-21, 10-21 loss by the British para-athlete, with a significant lack of rhythm observed in his performance. Bethell took a 10-5 lead in the first game, following some amazing stroke play with the former soon extending the same to 17-7. The Indian shuttler was not able to make a suitable comeback, losing the first game 21-8. While Manoj took an early 1-3 lead in the second game, the British para-athlete made a soaring comeback to take a 9-7 lead. He continued to build on his advantage to extend the point tally to 16-9, eventually sealing a fine triumph.
India has witnessed stellar performances from its para-athletes with the likes of Avani Lekhara, Yogesh Kathuniya, Sumit Antil, Devendra Jhajharia making the nation proud.
Avani scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the history of the Paralympics or even the Olympics. She achieved this unique distinction in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 event of the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics, delivering a sensational performance. The 19-year-old emerged victorious with a total score of 249.6, equalling the current world record.
She further scripted a new landmark in the history of the Paralympics, following her sensational tally registered under pressure. Avani’s 249.6 marks the highest score ever recorded in shooting in the prestigious ongoing event, showcasing her brilliance when it mattered the most.
The 19-year-old is further the first Indian woman to win multiple medals in the history of the Paralympics. She is also the only Indian woman to win two medals in the same edition of the Paralympics. The shooter achieved the unique distinction after winning a bronze medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event of the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics.
Participating in the F64 category, javelin thrower Sumit Antil clinched the gold medal with a world record throw of 68.55 meters. Legendary Indian para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia made the nation proud by winning a silver medal, in the F46 Final of the men’s Javelin Throw event. Yogesh was making his maiden appearance in an edition of the Paralympics but dominated the Men’s Discus Throw F56 event, delivering a confident performance to win silver.
