Thrilling Journey to Gold: Suhas Yathiraj and Nitesh Kumar Star at Paris Paralympics

Suhas Yathiraj and Nitesh Kumar advanced to the men's singles final, eyeing their maiden gold at the Paris Paralympics. Suhas, seeking his second consecutive Paralympic medal, overcame Sukant Kadam. Nitesh ensured a medal in SL3 after defeating Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara. Meanwhile, Nithya Sivan lost in the women's singles SH6 semifinals.

Suhas Yathiraj and Nitesh Kumar inched closer to their maiden gold medal on Sunday, progressing to the men's singles final in their respective categories at the Paris Paralympics.

Suhas, a silver medallist from the Tokyo Games, is set to become the first Indian shuttler to secure back-to-back medals at the Paralympics after defeating compatriot Sukant Kadam 21-17, 21-12 in the SL4 category. Meanwhile, Nitesh Kumar guaranteed a medal in SL3 with a 21-16, 21-12 victory over Japan's Daisuke Fujihara.

However, Indian shuttler Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan lost her women's singles SH6 semifinals to China's Lin Shuangbao 13-21, 19-21, and will now compete for bronze. Suhas, a 2007 batch IAS officer, will face France's Lucas Mazur, aiming to avenge his Tokyo Paralympics defeat. Nitesh, who lost his left leg in a 2009 train accident, will face Great Britain's Daniel Bethell in an electrifying final.

(With inputs from agencies.)