Paralympics 2024: Indian Para Shuttler and IIT graduate Nitesh Kumar created history as he won the second Gold medal for the nation in Paris Paralympics 2024. Nitesh Kumar achieved this glorious feat after defeating second-seeded Britain’s Daniel Bethell. The Indian Para shuttler showed his class performance and patient attitude in a three-game thriller. This marks the second Gold Medal by an Indian in the Paralympics Badminton SL3 category after Pramod Bhagat’s Tokyo 2020 glory.
Nitesh Kumar’s Classy Performance at Paralympics 2024
Nitesh Kumar was one of the biggest hopes for Indians to win a medal in the Paris Paralympics and he fulfilled his duty gloriously. After Pramod Bhagat’s suspension from this edition of the summer Paralympics Nitesh took the responsibility on his shoulders. The IIT graduate played tremendously throughout the tournament including the SL3 final. The three-game thrilling final made the Indian hearts pound with excitement. Nitesh started well and took the first game 21-14, which almost looked one-sided. Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell came into action in the second game. Even though Nitesh had an edge over him by 3 points, at halftime the score was 11-8. Daniel made a comeback and won the second game by 21-18. This led to a highly anticipated third game.
The third game was quite a thrill-show, the first point was earned by Indian shuttler, British was not that behind. He was chasing down the numbers quite well and even took the lead in the beginning of the third game. But the Paris Paralympics 2024 has been an intriguing display of sports for Indians. Nitesh Kumar didn’t lose his hopes and believed on himself and led to the halftime. After the exhilarating game continued, the difference margin was very low between the two. But, eventually after displaying better performance at the world level, India’s Para Shuttler clinched the Para Badminton SL3 Gold Medal at the Paralympics 2024 by 23-21.
Nitesh Kumar’s Inspiring Journey: From IIT Graduate to Gold Medallist
Nitesh Kumar was a teenager when he suffered a permanent wound to his leg leaving him hurt for months. The Indian shuttler didn’t let this mishappening stop him. He studied hard and cleared one of the toughest exams in India, the IIT. He got the admission to IIT Mandi and picked up badminton there. His badminton career commenced in 2015 when he was selected in the Haryana Team to participate in the Para National Championships. In 2017, he won his first International Title and the rest is history.
After Pramod Bhagat, Nitesh Kumar is the only Indian Shuttler to win the Gold Medal in the Para-Badminton SL3 category at the Paralympics. The SL3 category at the Paralympics includes badminton players with lower limb disabilities. In this category, only the half-width of the court is used.
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