Indian Badminton At Paris Paralympics, Highlights: Nitesh Kumar Wins Gold; Thulasimathi Takes Home Silver

The first of seven medal matches involving Indian para badminton players will be the mixed doubles bronze play-off between Nithya Sre Sivan/Sivarajan Solaimalai and Indonesia's Rina Marlina/Subhan Subhan. The match is scheduled to begin roughly around 1:40pm IST, depending on when the previous matches on court end. (Streaming | More Badminton News)

Indian para-shuttlers Sivarajan Solaimalai and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan fell short of the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, losing to the American duo of Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon in the mixed doubles SH6 semifinal.

Nithya Sre Sivan's journey to the Paris 2024 Paralympics has been marked by unwavering determination and exceptional talent. Despite facing physical challenges, she has consistently excelled in the world of para-badminton.

Her bronze medal victories at the 2022 Asian Para Games were a testament to her skill and dedication. These achievements not only brought her recognition on a national and international level but also inspired countless others to pursue their dreams, regardless of obstacles.

The Indonesian pair starting with strong performance in the first game, now leading 13-9. Their aggressive play at the net and precise shots have been key to their success. The Indian duo is struggling to find their rhythm and has been making unforced errors.

Despite the Indian duo's efforts to close the gap, the Indonesian pair has been relentless in maintaining their lead. The Indonesians have been effective at converting their opportunities and have not allowed the Indians to gain any significant point.

The Indonesian duo of Rina Marlina and Subhan have convincingly won the first game, putting significant pressure on the Indian pair. The Indonesians dominated the game with their powerful smashes and precise shots, leaving the Indians struggling to keep up.

The Indian duo is still trailing behind the Indonesian pair, who have established a significant early lead. This large gap is a dangerous situation for the Indians as it puts immense pressure on them to catch up. The Indonesians have been playing aggressively and effectively, making it difficult for the Indians to find their tune.

The Indian pair, though has been unable to make a comeback in both matches after their opponents took an early lead. Despite putting up a good fight, they trailed behind throughout and hence lost the match disappointingly for the bronze medal.

While the Indian duo fought valiantly, they were merely not consistent or efficient against their opponents. The early lead proved to be a wee bit too big to overcome for the Indians as they finally succumbed to the superior play of their opponents.

The Indonesian pair has successfully claimed the bronze medal by defeating the Indian duo in straight sets.

Para Badminton - Men’s Singles SL3 Gold Medal Match - Nitesh Kumar vs Daniel Bethell (GBR) - 3:30 pm IST

Kumar Nitesh was born on December 30, 1994, and soon came into prominence in Indian para-badminton. Having started his international career in 2016, he rapidly rose to world ranking number 3 in the SL3 category, dated June 14, 2022.

The rise of Nitesh in the world of badminton started when he won the Irish Para-Badminton International held in 2017. Since then, the player has never gone out of the limelight as he is very skilled and determined.

In 2019, he took up another new role; that of a Senior Badminton Coach for the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Haryana, imparting his expertise to aspiring athletes.

Both Daniel and Nitesh are in the court and their gold medal match begins. The match began with a lengthy rally, and Nitesh claimed the first point with a well-placed net shot that Daniel couldn't return.

Both players are aggressively vying for an early lead, but their efforts have resulted in a closely contested match. The score is tied as Nitesh attempts to force his opponent into errors. This match will be full of long rallies.

Nitesh is making some uncharacteristic errors in his aggressive attempts to dominate the match. However, with a long way to go, he remains strong.

Nitesh executed a beautiful net shot, giving him a narrow lead. The GB player is now trying to even the score, but Nitesh's defensive skills are proving to be a challenge.

Nitesh and Daniel are locked in a fierce battle, their rackets clashing like swords in a duel. The crowd is on the edge of their seats, their eyes glued to every shot.

After a marathon rally, Nitesh's stunning save leaves Daniel scratching his head. Nitesh celebrates his two-point lead. It's a moment of pure excitement and suspense.

Nitesh and Daniel just played one of the craziest rallies ever. It lasted 122 shots, and everyone in the crowd was standing up, cheering. Sadly, Nitesh's last shot went out

Nitesh is now ahead. The GB player is trying to force Nitesh to make a mistake and catch up. It's a tense match.

The Indian shuttler has secured the first game with relative ease, showcasing his superior skills and strategy. As the players take a brief break to regroup and receive guidance from their coaches, the anticipation for the second game continues to build.

The players have switched sides, and the second game of the match is now in progress. Stay Tuned

Nitesh YOU BEAUTY, what a performance. His incredible rallies and defensive skills are on full display. He's playing flawlessly and just needs to keep it up.

Daniel is struggling to close the gap. He's trying his best, but errors are creeping into his game. Meanwhile, Nitesh is playing a solid match, determined to maintain his lead.

The match is heating up. As the game reaches its final points, the GB player is putting on a strong performance, matching Nitesh shot for shot and forcing him to make some mistakes.

The match has taken a dramatic turn! In the final minutes, the GB player has mounted a strong comeback, leveling the score. It looks like we're headed for a deciding third game.

Both players are playing cautiously to secure victory, but the GB player has taken a slight lead.

Nitesh is playing well against Daniel Bethell, but he needs to maintain his composure and control to win the third game. The pressure is on him, but he has a chance to turn the tables on his opponent.

Before this final, Nitesh had a 0-9 head-to-head record against Daniel.

The final minutes are crucial and nerve-wracking. India let's cheer loudly for Nitesh.

This is soo close and anything can happen from here.

This has been one of the greatest finals, with the score tied at the end. It's been an incredible match, featuring beautiful badminton from both teams. The 'India, India' chants are echoing throughout the arena.

In a nail-biting final at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, India's Nitesh Kumar emerged victorious against Great Britain's Daniel Bethell, securing a gold medal for his country. The 29-year-old para-badminton star clinched India's second gold at the games with a score of 21-14, 18-21, 23-21.

India’s dominance in the men’s singles SL3 category continues. Nitesh Kumar, following in the footsteps of Pramod Bhagat who won the gold medal in the same category in Tokyo, has clinched the title.

His victory over Bethell in the final was a thrilling display of skill and determination. This marked Nitesh's first win against Bethell, and it couldn't have come at a more crucial moment.

1. 20:00 onwards - Para Badminton - Women’s Singles SU5 Gold Medal Match - Thulasimathi Murugesan vs Yang Qiu Xia (CHN)

2. 20:00 onwards - Para Badminton - Women’s Singles SU5 Bronze Medal Match - Manisha Ramadass vs Catherine Rosengren (DEN)

3. 21:40 - Para Badminton - Men’s Singles SL4 Gold Medal Match - Suhas Yathiraj vs Lucas Mazur (FRA)

4. 21:40 - Para Badminton - Men’s Singles SL4 Bronze Medal Match - Sukant Kadam vs Fredy Setiawan (INA)

5. Not before 23:50 - Para Badminton - Women’s Singles SH6 Bronze Medal Match - Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan vs Rina Marlina (INA)

We are about 30 minutes away from two Indian para-badminton medal matches in the women’s singles SU5 category. 

Thulasimathi Murugesan will take on China’s Yang Qiu Xia for gold, while Manisha Ramadass fights for bronze against Denmark’s Catherine Rosengren. 

Both matches are scheduled to start from 8:00 PM IST onwards..

The Indian will start as a favourite in the bronze medal battle against Denmark’s Catherine Rosengren, and will be hopeful of claiming bronze after losing to Thulasi Murugesan in the semi-finals.

India's Thulasimathi Murugasen faces to a good lead in the first game of the gold medal match as she leads China's Yang Qiu Xia 10-8.

India's Manisha Ramadass is also off to a very good start in the first game of the bronze medal tie against Denmark's Catherine Rosengren. She leads 15-9 and will be looking to close out the first game.

And game 1 goes Manisha's way in the bronze medal match on Court 1. The Indian takes it 21-12 and looked solid as ever. India one game away from claiming bronze in women's singles SU5.

The defending champion Yang Qiu Xia fights back from behind to take the first game 21-17 against Thulasimathu Murugesan in the women’s singles SU5 para-badminton gold medal match.

Manisha Ramandoss is putting on an absolute badminton masterclass in the bronze medal match and she is just 10 points away from glory. Can Rosengren fight back?

Manisha came in as a favourite, and she is proving exactly why. The Indian races to a 17-7 lead in the second game, and a win here will give India bronze in women's singles SU5.

And that's that. Manisha Ramadass is a Paralympic bronze medallist. She takes the match in 21-12, 21-8 against Denmark's Catherine Rosengren to add to India's medal tally in Paris.

India’s Thulasimathi Murugesan goes down to China’s Yang Qiu Xia 17-21, 10-21 in the women’s singles SU5 final to settle for silver. India finishes with a double-podium at the event. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated India's Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manisha Ramadass after India takes both silver and bronze in the women's singles SU5 category in para badminton.

Para Badminton, Suhas Yathitaj Vs Lucas Mazur, men’s singles SL4 gold medal match

Para Badminton, Sukant Kadam Vs Fredy Setiawan, men’s SL4 bronze medal match.

Both the matches are expected to get underway at 9:40 PM IST

Suhas Yathiraj in a spot of bother at the moment with his opponent Lucas Mazur from France off to the perfect start in the men's SL4 gold medal match. Can the Indian fight back in the first game?

There was a bit of a fightback from Suhas, but Mazur was too hot to handle in the first game of the men's SL4 gold medal match, and eventually takes it 9-21.

Lucas gives Suhas no breathing space after taking the opening game, and eventually takes the second 13-21, the match as well as the gold medal . The Indian shuttler will have to settle for silver in the men’s singles SL4.

India's Sukant Kadam has all the catching up to do after losing the first game 17-21 to Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan in the men's singles SL4 bronze medal match.

It's heartbreak for Sukant Kadam as he fails to deliver in the bronze medal encounter. Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan takes the match 21-17, 21-18 and the medal in the men's singles SL4 event at the Paris Paralympics.

India's Nithya Sre Sivan will take on Indonesia's Rina Marlina in the para-badminton women's singles SH6 bronze medal match. The encounter is scheduled to take place at 11:50 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Suhas Yathiraj after his silver medal in the men's singles SL4 event.

India’s Nithya Sre will look to take India’s medal tally to eight on the day as she goes head-to-head against Rina Marlina in the women’s singles SH6 bronze medal match. 

It's neck-to-neck after the first 20 points in the women's singles SH6 bronze medal clash between India's Nithya Sre Sivan and Indonesia's Rina Marlina.

Marlina fought hard but Nithya was just too strong in that game. She held her nerve while giving away a few loose points, but comes back strong to take the first game of the bronze medal tie 21-14.

What was that? A proper masterclass. Sensational badminton from Nithya Sre and she takes the bronze medal in the women’s singles SH6 final after beating Indonesia’s Rina Marlina 21-14, 21-6.

What a day for Indian para-badminton! What a day for India's sporting history! We've enjoyed the coverage, and hope so you did too. Until next time, take care and goodbye!