India’s Sukant Kadam and Sivarajan Solaimalai added to India’s medal tally at the Indonesia Para-Badminton International 2024, both securing silver medals in their respective categories.
Sukant Kadam faced a familiar foe in the men’s singles SL4 final, losing out to local favourite Fredy Setiawan in straight games (14-21, 14-21). This was a repeat of the Paris Paralympics bronze medal match. “I gave my best in the final, but Fredy played an exceptional game. It was a great learning experience, and I’m proud of my journey in this tournament. Every match is a step forward, and I’ll keep pushing to improve and aim for gold in future competitions,” Sukant shared after the match.
Sivarajan Solaimalai also encountered a familiar opponent in the men’s singles SH6 category, falling to another Indonesian, Subhan, with a scoreline of 19-21, 15-21. He also faced Subhan in the mixed doubles SH6 bronze medal match alongside his partner Nithya Sre, losing to the Indonesian duo of Subhan/Rina Marlina.
Despite these silver finishes, Indian shuttlers demonstrated their prowess with other impressive medal wins at the tournament. Umesh Vikram secured gold in men’s singles SL3, while Nehal Gupta and Naveen Sivakumar won silver in mixed doubles SL3-SL4. In the women’s wheelchair WH1 category, Pallavi Kuluvehalli emerged victorious with a gold medal.
Several other Indian players secured bronze medals in various categories, showcasing the depth and talent of Indian para-badminton. These wins highlight the growing strength of India’s para-badminton contingent, with players demonstrating resilience and determination on the international stage. As these athletes continue to push their limits and learn from each competition, India’s para-badminton future appears bright.
