Paris: Suhas Yathiraj, a silver medallist from the Tokyo Games, is set to become the first Indian shuttler to win back-to-back medals at the Paralympics after outplaying compatriot Sukant Kadam in straight games to reach the men's singles SL4 final here on Sunday.
The 41-year-old Suhas, a 2007 batch IAS officer, beat Sukant 21-17, 21-12 to make yet another final at the global showpiece.
Suhas, who served as the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar during the Covid-19 pandemic and was also the DM of Prayagraj, delivered a commanding performance to book his place in the final.
He will now face France's Lucas Mazur, aiming to settle the score after losing to him in the Tokyo Paralympics final three years ago.
Sukant will next play for the bronze medal.
A computer engineer-turned-IAS officer, Suhas has never let his ankle impairment hinder his passion for badminton. He is currently posted as the Secretary and Director-General of Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal under the Uttar Pradesh government.
With his victory, Suhas joins Nitesh Kumar (SL3) in keeping India's hopes of a gold medal in badminton alive in the Paris Paralympics.
Nitesh secured a medal in men’s singles SL3 category after a commanding straight-game win over Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara in the semi-finals.
The 29-year-old Nitesh, who overcame permanent leg damage from a 2009 accident, showed his dominance with a 21-16, 21-12 win over Fujihara. Nitesh is an IIT Mandi graduate.
SL3 class players, like Nitesh, compete with severe lower limb disabilities, requiring play on a half-width court.
In the summit clash, Nitesh will face Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell.
India are also assured of a medal in women’s singles SU5 as Manisha Ramadass set up a semi-final duel with compatriot Thulasimathi Murugesan.
The 19-year-old Manisha, who was born with Erb’s palsy which affected her right arm, had no trouble in dispatching Japan’s Mamiko Toyoda 21- 13, 21-16 in the quarter-final clash. Erb’s palsy is a nerve disorder in the shoulder and arm that results in weakness or loss of muscle function.
Top seed Thulasimathi had defeated Portugal’s Beatriz Monteiro on Saturday.
Shooters off target
Avani Lekhara finished 11th while Sidhartha Babu ended 28th as the shooters were unable to make the final of the mixed
10m air rifle prone (SH1) event.
In the mixed 10m air rifle prone (SH2) qualification, Sriharsha Devaraddi Ramakrishna ended in 26th place with a total score of 630.2.
In the Paralympics mixed event, both men and women compete on the line against each other.
Avani, who has already won a gold in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, but could not replicate her success on Sunday despite a strong start.
With inputs from PTI
