Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article /
Nitesh’s patience pays off with gold
Updated On: 03 September, 2024 08:45 AM IST | Paris | PTI
India shuttler Kumar draws from the experience of past defeats against Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell to outwit him with slow and steady strokeplay and clinch maiden Paralympic gold medal with tough 21-14, 18-21, 23-21 victory
Listen to this article :
Nitesh Kumar
India’s Nitesh Kumar clinched his maiden gold medal at the Paralympics, defeating Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in a gripping men’s singles SL3 badminton final here on Monday. The 29-year-old from Haryana showcased incredible resilience and tactical brilliance, overcoming Tokyo silver medallist Bethell in a nail-biting contest that lasted an hour and 20 minutes, with the final scoreline reading 21-14, 18-21, 23-21. The SL3 category is reserved for players with severe lower limb disabilities and played on a half-width court.
Nitesh’s journey to gold has been anything but ordinary. At the age of 15, he lost his left leg in a train accident in Visakhapatnam in 2009. However, this devastating event didn’t crush his spirit. His win ensured India retained the SL3 gold, which Pramod Bhagat had won three years ago at the Tokyo Paralympics. Facing an opponent who had beaten him nine times in the past, Nitesh, an IIT Mandi graduate, displayed immense mental fortitude as he recorded his first win over Bethell. The final saw both players engaging in excruciating rallies, including a nearly three-minute rally of 122 shots in Game 1.
Trending Stories
Latest Photos
Latest Videos
Latest Web Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
Mid-Day Fast
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT