India Aims for Decade of Dominance in Para-Badminton

Indian para-badminton coach Gaurav Khanna celebrates the team’s success at the Paris Paralympics, eyeing over ten medals at Los Angeles 2028. India's para-shuttlers improved their medal count from Tokyo with Nitesh Kumar winning gold and other shuttlers adding silver and bronze, sparking optimism for future competitions.

India's para-badminton coach Gaurav Khanna expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the shuttlers at the Paris Paralympics, targeting more than ten medals in the Los Angeles 2028 edition. India's para-shuttlers exceeded their Tokyo tally, securing five medals including a gold, two silver, and two bronze.

Despite high hopes for at least eight medals, Khanna remains optimistic. 'Though our targets were high, we're pleased to surpass Tokyo's tally of four medals and win five this time. The government's involvement is commendable, and we aim to win over ten medals in Los Angeles,' Khanna stated.

Para-shuttler Nitesh Kumar returned home victoriously with a gold medal after defeating Great Britain's Daniel Bethell in the men's singles SL3 final. Nitesh, who found his passion for badminton at IIT-Mandi, said, 'The ultimate prize is now around my neck.'

Suhas Yathiraj, securing a second consecutive silver, expressed satisfaction but acknowledged a gold would have been better. 'Winning silver is a matter of pride, but gold would have been ideal,' said Suhas, who was beaten by France's Lucas Mazur.

Thulasimathi Murugesan, in her Paralympics debut, clinched silver in women's singles SU5 and dedicated it to her father. Nithya Sre Sivan, debuting in the SH6 category, won bronze, expressing happiness over her achievement.

(With inputs from agencies.)