The will to win

At the Asian Paralympic Championship in Jordan in October 2009 he won the title of Asian Singles Champion in table tennis. Thirty-five-year-old Yezdi Bhamgara of Navsari had also won a silver in singles and team events at the IWAS (International Wheelchair, Amputee and Standing Sports) World Games Rankings organized by the IWAS Federation in Bangalore from November 22-December 2, 2009. "It is a world ranking tournament for the disabled. I am currently ranked second in the world in the Standing category,” he explains.

Yezdi Bhamgara: competing courageously

Bhamgara had qualified for the Jordan event by winning the national trophy in singles at the Second Paralympic National Table Tennis Championship organized by the Paralympic Committee of India from August 24-26, 2009. "It was a good experience in Jordan as it was my second Asian Championships. The first one was in Malaysia in 2006, in which I lost in the semi finals against a player from China. My opponents in Jordan for the semi finals and finals were from Korea and China respectively,” he narrates.

Working hard to win despite a pronounced limp following cerebral palsy, Bhamgara recounts the difficulties: "There is no scope for disabled table tennis in India. The government is not interested in allocating resources and financial aid under the excuse of paucity of funds.” Before any international event no camp is organized for specialized training nor is a playing kit provided, he states. "All the expenses are borne by the players. This is not the case with able-bodied players. I personally go to Surat to practice with my able-bodied friends before national and international events,” he declares.

Bhamgara started playing table tennis at the age of 10. "I take part in able-bodied competition with great zeal and enthusiasm. For many years I have been competing in the All Parsees Table Tennis Tournament held in Bombay each year and every time I have reached the quarter finals,” Bhamgara displays the will to win.

Living in Navsari for the last 30 years, Bhamgara helps his mother Khorshed give tuitions at home. His father Aspi passed away in 2004.