India’s Paralympic contingent continued its impressive performance at the Paris Games, securing a second gold medal on Monday. The star of the day was shuttler Nitesh Kumar, who emerged victorious in the men’s singles SL3 badminton final. Kumar, hailing from Rajasthan, showcased his skill and determination, battling Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell for 80 minutes before ultimately securing a 2-1 victory (21-14, 18-21, 23-21) at the La Chapelle Arena Court 1.
Another athlete contributing to India’s medal tally was Yogesh Kathuniya, who secured a silver medal in the men’s discus throw F56 event. Kathuniya threw a season-best 42.22m, replicating his silver medal achievement from the Tokyo Paralympics.
While the day brought joy with gold and silver medals, there were also some disappointments. In Para Shooting, Nihal Singh and Amir Ahmad Bhat failed to qualify for the final of the P3 – Mixed 25m Pistol SH1, finishing 10th and 11th respectively in the qualification round. In Para Badminton, the mixed doubles SH6 pair of Sivarajan Solaimalai and Nithya Sre narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, losing to Indonesia’s Sumathy Sivan vs Subhan/Rina Marlina 0-2 in the bronze medal match.
Despite the mixed results, the Indian contingent continues to make its mark on the global stage, showcasing exceptional athleticism and determination. As the Games progress, India’s hopes for more medals remain high, with athletes poised to leave their mark in various disciplines.
