Valeska Knoblauch is another step closer to that Paralympic gold medal, as she takes another international title and reclaims the world number one spot.

The WH1 women’s singles final was over in just 29 minutes as Germany’s world number two, Valeska Knoblauch defeated Japan’s Ikumi Fuke for the second time in six months. 

The German eased past Fuke in straight games today and adds to her collection of ranking points to not only reclaim the world number one spot, but she may have done enough to take the lead of the Race to Tokyo rankings from Sarina Satomi (pictured above).

With one tournament left in the Paralympic qualifying period, Knoblauch will be in great shape for this summer’s main event, she had this to say after today’s victory:

- Ikumi is a great opponent, it is always a pleasure to compete with her. I’m happy with today’s performance, everything that we have been building worked today on court.

- We have one important one left, and I’m excited to get to Spain and finish what we started. It has been an incredible journey and it is not over yet!

Read: Pure emotions on semifinals day

Silver for Monteiro

Portugal’s new star Beatriz Monteiro gave her all in today’s SU5 women’s singles final. The fourteen year old was clinging on at 20-20 in the first game, but Japan’s Kaede Kameyama had too much experience to allow the teenager to throw her off her game.

Kameyama took the opener and closed the second game at 21-13 to take her first title in two years. It has been an impressive week for both players as Kameyama lifts her first title and Monteiro makes it to her first final.

Monteiro was in great spirits after the match today, exclaiming her delight with her performance:

- I’m truly happy to be in the final in Peru and the silver medal means the world to me!

We asked her about her dreams and what she sees in her future, Beatriz added: 

- I hope to be in Tokyo, but if that is not possible then I will be in Paris for sure.

For a full list of results from the Peru Para badminton International 2020 this week, see tournament software here.