Paris 2024: Smashing success

Paris, September 1

Suhas Yathiraj and Nitesh Kumar inched closer to their maiden gold medals after progressing to the men’s singles finals in their respective categories at the Paris Paralympics.

While Suhas, a silver medallist from Tokyo Games, is set to become the first Indian shuttler to secure back-to-back medals at the Paralympics after outplaying compatriot Sukant Kadam 21-17 21-12 in the SL4 semifinals, Nitesh guaranteed a medal for himself in the SL3 category with a 21-16 21-12 victory over Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara in another semifinal.

The 41-year-old Suhas, a 2007 batch IAS officer, will now face France’s Lucas Mazur, aiming to settle the score after losing to him in the Tokyo Paralympics final three years ago. “I still can’t believe (back-to-back finals). I thank God. I tried my best and didn’t let pressure get to me,” Suhas said.

Nitesh, who had lost his left leg after a train accident in 2009, will square off against Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the summit clash. Bethell, who was the runner-up to Pramod Bhagat in the Tokyo Games, is a formidable opponent, setting the stage for an electrifying final on Monday. Sukant, meanwhile, will next play for the bronze medal.

Nitesh, an IIT Mandi graduate, had won three medals at last year’s Asian Para Games. “I have been performing consistently, so I had the belief that I will make the finals. It feels amazing to actually do that because there is pressure. I had lost my mixed doubles but I didn’t let it affect me,” the 29-year-old said.

Suhas, a computer engineer, delivered a commanding performance to book his place in the final. Talking about Mazur, Suhas, who never let his ankle impairment hinder his passion for badminton, said: “We know each other very well. I defeated him in the World Championships this year and he would want to take revenge. I lost to him in Tokyo. But I won the Asian Para Games gold, became world No 1, so, I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I will just go out there and enjoy myself.”

Manisha Ramadass and Thulasimathi Murugesan also confirmed a podium finish for India after setting up a women’s singles SU5 semifinals duel.

The 19-year-old Manisha, who was born with Erb’s palsy which affected her right arm, had no trouble in dispatching Japan’s Mamiko Toyoda 21- 13 21-16 in the quarterfinals. Top seed Thulasimathi had defeated Portugal’s Beatriz Monteiro on Saturday.

India’s medal hopes were further bolstered by Nithya Sivan Sumathy, who advanced to the women’s singles SH6 semifinals with a 21-4 21-7 victory over Poland’s Oliwia Szmigiel. Nithya will face China’s Lin Shuangbao in the semifinals.

However, Mandeep Kaur and Palak Kohli were eliminated following contrasting defeats in their respective quarterfinals.