In what was an eventful day for India, as many as three medals have been confirmed in para-badminton for India at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, on Sunday.
Nitesh Kumar, Suhas Yathiraj made it to the finals of the men’s singles SL3 and SL4 categories respectively, whereas Manisha Ramdass, earlier in the day, confirmed India’s first women’s singles medal at the Paralympics when she was scheduled to play Thulasimathi Murugedsan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles SU5 category.
Suhas gets the better of Sukant 🇮🇳🤝
In the Men’s Singles SL4 semifinal battle of two Indians, #1 seed Suhas Yathiraj beats Sukant Kadam in straight sets 21-17, 21-12 🏸🧨
Suhas will fight for gold🥇 tomorrow while Sukant will fight for bronze🥉#ParaBadminton #Paralympics2024… pic.twitter.com/zNSRU22oqi
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) September 1, 2024
The day started on a somber note as two Indians, Mandeep Kaur, and Palak Kohli both lost their quarter-final matches in the women’s singles SL3 and SL4 categories respectively.
While Kaur lost to Mariam Bolaji of Nigeria 0-2 (8-21, 9-21), Kohli was defeated by Sadiyah Khalimatus of Indonesia 0-2 (19-21, 15-21).
But India’s first medal in the women’s singles category at the Paralympics was secured when both Manisha Ramdass and Nithya Sre won their quarter-final matches in the women’s singles SU5 and SH6 categories respectively.
Manisha defeated Mamiko Toyoda of Japan 2-0 (21-13, 21-16) and Nithya Sre defeated Polish para-athlete Oliwia Szmigel 2-0 (21-4, 21-7).
Nithya Sre later lost her semi-final match against Shuangbao Lin 0-2 (13-21, 19-21) and will play the bronze medal match against Rina Marlina of Indonesia tomorrow.
Over in the men’s section, Nitesh Kumar confirmed India’s second medal at the Paris Paralympics, defeating Japanese Daisuke Fujihara 2-0 (21-16, 21-12), in the men’s singles SL3 category.
Suhas Yathiraj, the world no.1 in the men’s singles SL4 category, stormed into yet another final, winning the all-Indian semi-final clash against Sukant Kadam 2-0 (21-17, 21-12).
Sukant Kadam will play Fredy Setiawan of Indonesia tomorrow in the bronze medal match.