Bhavina Patel Becomes World No.1 After Double Medal Win at US Para TT Events

This triumph is particularly significant as the World Para Elite Championship is regarded as one of the toughest competitions in para table tennis, drawing only the best-ranked players globally.

Ms. Bhavina Patel, Assistant Director with the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Regional Office, Ahmedabad, has scripted history by achieving back-to-back podium finishes at two prestigious International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Para Championships held in Spokane, Washington, USA. Her victories have propelled her to the World No. 1 ranking in the Women’s Singles (Class 1–5) category — a milestone moment for Indian para-sports.

Golden Glory at ITTF World Para Elite Event

From 9th to 13th August 2025, at the ITTF World Para Elite Championships, Bhavina Patel showcased her exceptional skills in the Women’s Singles Class 4–5 category, clinching the Gold Medal. Competing against some of the world’s strongest para table tennis athletes, she displayed resilience, tactical brilliance, and mental strength, ultimately emerging victorious.

This triumph is particularly significant as the World Para Elite Championship is regarded as one of the toughest competitions in para table tennis, drawing only the best-ranked players globally.

Silver at the ITTF World Para Future Event

Just days before her gold-winning performance, between 6th and 8th August 2025, Patel competed at the ITTF World Para Future Championships, also hosted in Spokane. There, she secured the Silver Medal in the same category, reinforcing her consistency and ability to dominate across multiple tournaments.

Rising to World No. 1

With her twin successes in the USA, Bhavina Patel has ascended to the No. 1 position in the world rankings in the Women’s Singles Class 1–5 category. This achievement reflects years of dedicated training, perseverance, and her capacity to maintain high performance under pressure.

Her accomplishment is not only a personal triumph but also a landmark achievement for Indian para-sports, symbolizing the growing global presence of India in adaptive sports disciplines.

Inspiration for Para-Athletes Nationwide

Bhavina Patel’s journey is a story of determination and resilience. Overcoming physical challenges, she has consistently proven that with grit and commitment, barriers can be turned into stepping stones. Her historic rise to the top of the world rankings sends a powerful message to aspiring para-athletes across India: disability is not a limitation, but a platform to showcase strength and talent.

ESIC’s Supportive Role

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has long fostered a culture of health, fitness, and sporting excellence among its employees. By encouraging participation in national and international competitions, ESIC provides support in the form of resources, recognition, and facilitation of leave for sporting activities.

Patel’s achievements reflect the success of this approach. Balancing her professional responsibilities with her sporting career, she has become a shining example of ESIC’s vision that nurturing sports among employees not only promotes wellness but also strengthens qualities like teamwork, perseverance, and discipline.

Over the years, several ESIC staff members have excelled in different sporting disciplines, but Patel’s world No. 1 ranking now stands as one of the greatest achievements in the organisation’s history.

A Historic Moment for Indian Sports

Bhavina Patel’s double-medal feat and ascent to the World No. 1 ranking mark a turning point in India’s para table tennis journey. Her success will likely inspire greater participation in para-sports, attract institutional support, and elevate India’s standing on the international sports stage.

Her victories are not only medals for India but also a celebration of courage, resilience, and national pride.