Indus Valley Times

NEW DELHI, SEPT 2 : India’s Nitesh Kumar clinched badminton gold at the Paris Paralympics in the men’s singles SL3 competition on Monday, September 2. Top-seeded Nitesh beat Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in a three-game thriller 21-14, 18-21, 23-21. The match saw a sensational competition from the top two seeds where they tried to battle the sideways drift on the La Chapelle Arena Court 1. Coming into the game, Nitesh had played 9 times against Bethell, but had never defeated him in his entire career.

Nitesh’s gold was India’s ninth medal at the Paris Paralympics and the second gold medal of the event. Before Nitesh, shooter Avani Lekhara had won the gold medal. This was India’s first badminton medal at the Games and it came, courtesy of Nitesh’s incredible patience. His match against Bethell was characterised by long rallies in the first game. Nitesh beat Bethell in the first game 21-14, where the longest rally of the match was 122 shots. It took a total of 31 minutes for the first game to finish, which left both players tired and gasping for air.

Both changed their play styles to quick exchanges after that, where Nitesh held his nerve to clinch the gold medal. The Indian shuttler did not look flustered despite being put under pressure for Bethell. Nitesh brought out his strong smashes to force the errors out of the British player.

Bethell looked visibly frustrated in the third game the decider, when he was not able to control the drift in the court. The shuttler made a late comeback, but multiple errors crept into his game, resulting in the loss. India are assured of at least two more medals in badminton. Later in the day, the contingent will participate in multiple medal matches, including two finals.

Nitesh Kumar’s life took a dramatic turn in 2009 when he suffered a permanent injury to his leg in an accident, which left him bedridden for months. Despite this setback, Kumar continued to focus on his studies, taking a year off to prepare for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance examinations. His hard work paid off, and he secured admission to IIT Mandi in 2013. During his time at the prestigious university, Kumar developed an interest in badminton, which eventually became his passion.

Kumar’s para-badminton career began in 2016 when he earned a spot in the Haryana team to participate in the Para National Championships. He won his first international title at the Irish Para-Badminton International in 2017 and went on to win several titles and medals in various international competitions, including the Asian Para Games and the BWF Para-Badminton World Circuit.

The accolades Nitesh has accumulated are both numerous and significant. He has earned three medals at the World Championships, including two silver medals in 2019 and 2022, and a bronze medal in 2024. His success extends to the Asian Para Games, where he has secured four medals: one gold, one silver, and two bronze. These accomplishments have solidified his status as a leading para-badminton player on the global stage.

Kumar’s achievements are not limited to his sporting career. He is a graduate of IIT Mandi and currently works as a Senior Badminton Coach for the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs in Haryana.

Residing in Karnal district, Haryana, Nitesh’s journey is supported by OGQ, an organization committed to promoting Indian sports talent. His story is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, perseverance and hard work can lead to greatness.

Nitesh Kumar’s remarkable journey underscores the power of determination and resilience. His achievements in para-badminton have brought immense pride to India, and his participation in the 2024 Paris Paralympics has further solidified his reputation as a global sensation in the sport. As he continues to inspire and leave his mark on the international stage, Nitesh Kumar remains a shining example for aspiring para-athletes worldwide.

-PTI