Top-seeded Indian shuttler Nitesh Kumar defeated Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara 21-16, 21-12 to book his place in the SL3 category men’s singles final and assure India a medal.
Paris Paralympics 2024: Day 4 – LIVE
The 29-year-old Nitesh, who overcame permanent leg damage from a 2009 accident, showed his dominance with a 21-16 21-12 win over Fujihara in a 48-minute semifinal.
The IIT Mandi graduate thus ensured that India return with a medal from the SL3 category, after Pramod Bhagat clinched the gold when para badminton made its debut three years ago in Tokyo.
SL3 class players, like Nitesh, compete with more severe lower limb disabilities, requiring play on a half-width court.
In the summit clash, Nitesh will face Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell, who beat Thailand’s Bunsun Mongkhon 21-7, 21-9 in the other semifinal.
Bethell, who was the runner-up to Pramod Bhagat in the Tokyo Paralympics, is a formidable opponent, setting the stage for an electrifying final on Monday.
India were assured of a second medal in badminton with Manisha Ramadass setting up a women’s singles SU5 semifinals duel with compatriot Thulasimathi Murugesan. On Saturday, Sukant Kadam earned the right to take on compatriot Suhas Yathiraj in SL4 semifinals to assure the country its first medal in badminton from this edition of the Games.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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