Disappointed to lose but still a big medal for us: Bhavinaben Patel

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 29

Bhavinaben Patel knows that a table tennis silver in the Paralympics, a first by an Indian, has made her an overnight star. A direct call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi within an hour of her medal win was a hint of things to come. A desired meeting with her icon Sachin Tendulkar may also materialise in the near future. In a chat with The Tribune, Bhavina talks about her disappointment of losing the final, her future goals and the trouble her husband Nikunj went through to support her dream. Excerpts:

First of all congratulations, how do you analyse your performance today?

You can say I am a little disappointed as I wanted to win the gold medal. She (Zhou Ying) was too strong and controlled the match much better. I will try to better this result in other competitions.

So you are saying you are not happy?

Not at all. This medal is still a big thing for us but you don’t go into a match thinking I am happy to get a medal. You want to win the gold medal. It did not happen for me today.

What was the strategy for the final considering Zhou beat you in straight games in your first match as well?

My strategy was to target returns at her body. Coaches had prepared me well but I could not implement it during the match. She pretty much controlled the ball and was better in crucial moments. Nothing went for me at all. Not a good day for me.

You have only lost two matches — the first round and the final, both to Zhou. Did the first loss have any impact on the final?

No. I was a bit under the weather in the first match — had a fever. After that match finished, I decided not to think about my illness and decided to focus more on my matches. That kept me well on course till the final. It is OK. I will get many more chances to improve this result.

PM Modi called you after your silver medal finish. What did he tell you? How special was it for you?

It was very special as you don’t get to speak to the PM normally. Sir thanked me and said ‘Bahut bahut badhai aapne Paralympics mein desh ka naam upar kiya (Many congratulations for making us all proud after winning a medal in the Paralympics)’.

After your win, an old photo of yours and other para-athletes with the then Gujarat CM Modi went viral. Your thoughts?

Yes I know that photograph. I think that picture was from 2009 or 2010. He was very kind to many of us when he was in Gujarat. He is very dear to our hearts.

Your husband Nikunj has made your entire house in Ahmedabad accessible for you. How helpful was it?

It was needed for me to move around the house other than for my sports purpose. Apart from being a table tennis player I am also a housewife and have to help out. Besides, we now have a separate table tennis room for me to practise either with partners or the robot.

Can you talk about this robot you have been provided?

It is called the Butterfly Amicus Prime Advance robot. It was provided to me under TOPS and helped me a lot during the pandemic to stay in practice.

So the Paralympics are done. What is next on the agenda?

Next year, we have the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games and as well as the World Championships. I will hope to do better in those events.

TTFI announces Rs 31 lakh cash reward

New Delhi: Table Tennis Federation of India today announced Rs31 cash reward for Bhavinaben Patel, who became the first Indian to win a table tennis medal at the Paralympics. Meanwhile, the Gujarat government announced a Rs3 crore reward. PTI

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