Palak Kohli, Suhas Yathiraj Shine in Group Stages as Para Badminton Makes its Debut at 2020 Tokyo Paralympics
Palak Kolhi at Tokyo Paralympics
The last few days of the Tokyo Paralympics have seen the debut of a new sport, Para Badminton. India has sent a squad of 7 para shuttlers, all of whom will be hoping to finish on the podium. Among these is the youngest athlete in the event, 19-year-old Palak Kolhi.
Palak’s first game yesterday in the group stage did not quite go according to plan, as she went down against top seed Japan’s Suzuki Ayako. The youngster lost the game 21-4, 21-7, against the home favourite.
The second match however saw Kohli make a strong comeback against Turkey’s Zehra Baglar. Palak notched a strong win against her opponent in straight sets. Having been previously beaten by the much higher ranked opponent, Palak’s win of 21-12, 21-18 caused a serious upset after today’s match.
Tokyo Paralympics: Suhas Yathiraj Starts off His Campaign With a Bang; Pramod Bhagat just one Match Away from a Medal
The World no. 2 Suhas Yathiraj started off his campaign with a bang after a dominant victory over Germany’s Nikolas Pott. The Indian was no match for Pott, as he easily cruised to a victory in his opening game.
Yathiraj secured a win in straight sets, taking his opponent 21-9, 21-3, in the first game of the group stage in SL4 category.
India’s Tarun Dhillon and Krishna Nagar also had a positive start to their Paralympics journey, as both of them notched a win. Dhillon beat Thailand’s Siripong Teamarrom in straight sets, winning 21-7, 21-13.
Krishna Nagar on the other hand secured a win in the group stage over Malaysia’s Didin Taresoh once again in straight sets, winning 22-20, 21-10. World no. 1 Pramod Bhagat has also sealed his place in the semifinals of men’s SL3 after beating Ukraine’s Oleksandr Chyrkov in a dominant victory. Bhagat won 21-12, 21-9 and is just one match away from ensuring a medal.
Saivee Phatak
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