New Delhi: Ace para-shuttler Nitesh Kumar claimed a gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 category after edging past Daniel Bethell of Great Britain in a tense final. Nitesh claimed a 21-14, 18-21, 23-21 victory to bring home India’s second gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
The Indian star could have closed the game out in the second game but the British para-athlete won a hat-trick of points to snatch Game 2 and take the match into a decider.
Para-shooter Avani Lekhara, last week, became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games. She successfully defended her title in the women’s 10m air rifle event to bag India’s first gold in Paris.
Nitesh, on Sunday, assured a medal for himself in SL3 with a 21-16 21-12 win over Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara in the semifinal.
Nitesh’s medal was India’s ninth (2 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze) in the Paris Paralympics. Courtesy of the second gold, India jumped to 22nd spot in the medals tally.
The 29-year-old from Haryana produced a solid performance, mixing caution with aggression expertly. The absorbing contest lasted an hour and 20 minutes.
Nitesh, an SL3 class player, competed with more severe lower limb disabilities and played on a half-width court according to the regulations.
Nitesh’s remarkable journey
Nitesh was always fond of sports and his sporting journey began at a very young age when he developed a passion for football.
But tragedy struck his family when at the age of 15, Nitesh lost his left leg in a train accident in Visakhapatnam in 2009. Despite all the difficulties, Nitesh recovered from the mental and physical trauma and found his calling in para-badminton.
Nitesh’s gold medal on Monday ensured that India retained the SL3 Paralympics title after Pramod Bhagat claimed the top podium finish three years ago when para-badminton made its debut in the Tokyo 2020 Games. Bhagat was banned for 18 months ahead of the Paris Games for violating anti-doping regulations.
Nitesh Kumar claimed a 21-14, 18-21, 23-21 victory over Daniel Bethell of Great Britain to bring home India’s second gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
