Nitesh Kumar secured India’s second gold medal at the Paris Paralympics, triumphing in a thrilling men’s singles SL3 final against Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell. In a highly anticipated showdown between the top two seeds, Nitesh, the highest-seeded player, emerged victorious with a score of 21-14, 18-21, 23-21, after an intense battle lasting an hour and 20 minutes. This win marks Nitesh’s first Paralympic medal.
India’s success in Paralympic badminton continues with this third gold medal, following the achievements of Pramod Bhagat (SL3) and Krishna Nagar (SH6) at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where they also claimed top podium spots.
The SL3 classification is for players with moderate mobility challenges, which may affect one side of their body, both legs, or result from limb absence. These athletes compete standing on a half-width court, where movement is limited, but their shot-making abilities remain fully intact.
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Nitesh Kumar, 29, who triumphed over Daniel Bethell in the Paralympic men’s singles SL3 final, secured a remarkable victory, marking his dominance on the international stage. This win ensures that India continues to shine in the SL3 category, following Pramod Bhagat’s gold at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago, when para badminton made its debut.
Nitesh’s journey to this achievement is nothing short of inspiring. His first love was football, but a tragic accident in Vizag in 2009 left him with permanent leg damage, shattering his aspirations and confining him to bed for months. Despite this setback, Nitesh’s passion for sports remained undeterred.
While studying at IIT Mandi, he discovered a new passion for badminton. He diligently honed his skills, often challenging able-bodied players on the court. In 2016, Nitesh represented Haryana at the Para Nationals in Faridabad, where he made an impressive debut by winning a bronze medal. The following year, he continued to excel, clinching silver in singles and bronze in doubles at the national championships.
His crowning achievement came in 2020 when he defeated Tokyo Paralympic medalists Pramod and Manoj to win gold at the National Championship, cementing his position as one of India’s leading para-badminton athletes. Beyond his national success, Nitesh has also excelled internationally, winning numerous medals. Now, with his Paralympic debut, he has added yet another prestigious medal to his collection.
