New Delhi: Nithya Sre Sivan has become the cynosure of all eyes after bringing laurels for the nation at the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024. The para-shuttler defeated Indonesia’s Rina Marlina in straight games in a lop-sided bronze medal match to bag her maiden medal at the Paralympics. Her maiden bronze medal at the Paralympics is a significant achievement for Nithya, who grew up as a cricket fan and never thought she would get to represent India in para-badminton at the showpiece event.
Currently ranked no.1 in the world in the women’s singles SH6 category, Nithya headed into the Paralympics with great expectations. While she couldn’t make it to the final, the 19-year-old ensured she delivered in the bronze medal match to make her countrymen proud. Nithya won the bronze medal after wrapping up a comfortable 21-14, 21-6 win in straight games against her Indonesian opponent.
A cricket fan turned para-shuttler
Born in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, Nithya comes from a humble background. She grew up in a sporting environment and was a huge cricket fan, thanks to her father, who was a passionate follower of the game and her brother, who is a district-level cricketer. Watching sports was a norm in her household and the turning point came on Nithya’s sporting career when she witnessed the 2016 Paralympics live on television.
The 19-year-old, who has a condition of short stature, was inspired by the para-shuttlers in action at the Rio Paralympics and decided to join a local badminton academy to train. Despite modest means, her family supported her to pursue her dreams as she grew strength from strength. Nithya read stories of the Chinese badminton legend Lin Dan, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and 5-time world champion, which further deepened her interest in badminton.
Nithya initially trained with the regulars at a local academy before her coach recommended her father to help her get regular practice and train in para-badminton. She competed in the Tamil Nadu para-badminton state championship where she garnered praise for her performances before moving to Lucknow to train under India’s para-badminton coach Gaurav Khanna, a Dronacharya awardee.
There was no looking back for Nithya after she started training under Khanna as she soon started making her presence felt at the international level. She won two bronze medals in mixed doubles and women’s doubles at the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2022 and became the world no.1 in women’s singles in the SH6 category.
On Monday, she fulfilled her dream of winning a medal for India at the Paralympics after bagging bronze in the SH6 category. The 19-year-old still has a long way to go and will be hoping to continue making the country proud with her achievements in para-badminton in the coming years.
Nithya Sre Sivan grew up as a cricket fan, inspired by her father and her brother but stories of the legendary Lin Dan and witnessing the para-shuttlers play in the 2016 Paralympics, inspired her to take up para-badminton. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
