Indian paddlers lose first round matches

Tokyo, Aug 25: Indian table tennis players Sonalben Manubhai Patel and Bhavinaben Hasmukhbhai Patel lost their opening women’s singles matches in their respective groups at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, here on Wednesday.
Competing in the women’s Class 3 category, Sonalben lost to Li Quan of China 3-2. The Indian TT player started well to manage a 3-2 lead but lost 9-11, 11-3, 15-17, 11-7, 11-4 win in their Group D opener. Sonalben will face South Korea’s Lee Mi Gyu next on Thursday.
In the women’s Class 4 division, Bhavinaben suffered a straight 3-11, 9-11, 2-11 against world No 1 table tennis player China’s Zhou Ying. Bhavinaben will take on Megan Shackleton of Great Britain next.
Class 3 category players have no trunk control but bank on functional arms, while in class 4, the competitors have greater trunk control with fully functional arms and hands. (UNI)