Tokyo Paralympics: Shuttler Pramod Bhagat Wins, Young Palak Kohli Endures Tough Day

Paralympics: World number one shuttler Pramod Bhagat made an impressive start to his campaign in the men's singles competition but young Palak Kohli endured a tough day.

World number one shuttler Pramod Bhagat made an impressive start to his campaign in the men's singles competition but young Palak Kohli endured a tough day at the Tokyo Paralympics on Wednesday. Bhagat, the reigning world champion, outwitted fellow Indian Manoj Sarkar 21-10 21-23 21-9 in his men's singles group A class SL3 opener that lasted 56 minutes. The 33-year-old, who had contracted polio during his childhood, will face Ukraine's Oleksandr Chyrkov on Thursday. Manoj too will clash with Chyrkov on Friday. "Manoj Sarkar pushed me to the limits. He played really well and we know each other's game very well. We had some good rallies. I am happy with the way I went ahead with my game, obviously these are initial matches and I am getting used to the arena," Bhagat said. "I am in a good headspace. Chyrkov is also good and I hope I put up a good show tomorrow," he added. Earlier, Kohli had a difficult day in office as she suffered defeats in both her women's singles and mixed doubles matches.