India Faces Early Setbacks in Para-Badminton at Paris Olympics

India's para-badminton players Manasi Joshi and Mandeep Kaur suffered losses in their opening matches at the Paris Olympics. They will need to win their next group stage matches to keep knockout stage hopes alive. India has sent its largest ever Paralympic contingent to Paris, aiming for a record medal haul.

India's campaign in the para-badminton competition at the ongoing Paris Olympics hit an early hurdle as shuttlers Manasi Joshi and Mandeep Kaur lost their women's singles SL3 Group Stage first-round matches on Thursday. Manasi, placed in Group A and the 2019 World Championships gold medalist, faced Indonesia's Qontiah Ikhitar Syakuroh. Despite winning the first game, Syakuroh rallied in the subsequent sets to defeat Manasi (21-16, 13-21, 18-21).

In Group B, Mandeep Kaur encountered Nigeria's Mariam Eniola Bolaji but struggled to find her rhythm, losing both games 8-21, 14-21. Both Indian para-shuttlers must win their remaining group matches to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.

Other Indian athletes in women's para-badminton, including Palak Kohli, Thulasimathi Murugesan, Manisha Ramdass, and Nithya Sre, are yet to compete. This year marks India's largest Paralympic contingent, with 84 athletes across 12 sports, reflecting the country's growing para-sports ecosystem. India's participation aims to surpass previous achievements, especially after the historic 19-medal haul at Tokyo 2020, which included four badminton medals.

(With inputs from agencies.)