Indian para badminton player Nitesh Kumar makes history by winning his first ever gold medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024, beating Great Britain's Daniel Bethell in a thrilling final. Meanwhile, Manisha Ramadass wins bronze and Thulasimathi Murugesan settles for silver in their respective women's singles matches. Nitesh's victory also marks India's retention of the SL3 gold after Pramod Bhagat's win in Tokyo three years ago.
Indian Para Badminton Stars Shine at Paris Paralympics 2024
Background
Para badminton, a variant of badminton for athletes with disabilities, has gained immense popularity in recent years. Indian para badminton players have consistently performed well on the international stage, earning accolades and bringing glory to the nation.
Historic Gold for Nitesh Kumar
At the recently concluded Paris Paralympics 2024, Indian para badminton sensation Nitesh Kumar etched his name in history by securing the coveted gold medal in the men's singles SL3 event. In a nail-biting final, Kumar outplayed Great Britain's Daniel Bethell, becoming the first Indian to win gold in this category.
This triumph marks a significant milestone for India, as it retains the SL3 gold medal after Pramod Bhagat's triumph at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020. Kumar's victory showcases the growing dominance of Indian para badminton on the global stage.
Bronze for Manisha Ramadass and Silver for Thulasimathi Murugesan
In the women's singles matches, Indian para badminton stars Manisha Ramadass and Thulasimathi Murugesan claimed bronze and silver medals respectively. Ramadass secured the bronze medal after defeating Peru's Pilar Jauregui in the semifinals, while Murugesan clinched the silver medal after losing to Japan's Yuma Yamazaki in the final.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is SL3 in para badminton? SL3 is a classification for para badminton players with lower limb impairments or restricted movement in one or both legs.
2. Who is Nitesh Kumar? Nitesh Kumar is an Indian para badminton player who specializes in the SL3 category. He is known for his exceptional skills, powerful smashes, and consistent performance.
3. What is the significance of India's gold medal in SL3 at the Paralympics? India's gold medal in SL3 at the Paralympics marks the country's continued dominance in this category. It also reflects the immense talent and hard work of Indian para badminton players.
4. What are Manisha Ramadass's achievements? Manisha Ramadass is a renowned Indian para badminton player who has won numerous medals at international championships. She is known for her quick reflexes, tactical prowess, and aggressive style of play.
5. What is the future of para badminton in India? Para badminton has a bright future in India, with a growing number of talented players emerging from across the country. Investment in training programs, coaching facilities, and competitions will continue to nurture and develop this sport at the national and international level.
In a dynamic and thrilling first game of the World Chess Championship, 18-year-old Gukesh took on defending champion Ding Liren and emerged victorious. Despite Ding's attempts to throw him off with an unusual opening, Gukesh confidently took control and left the champion struggling to catch up. With bold moves and confident play, Gukesh surprised pundits and fans alike, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.
At just 13 years old, Bihar's Vaibhav Suryavanshi has already made waves in the world of cricket. On Monday, he became the youngest player ever to be auctioned in the Indian Premier League, where he was acquired by Rajasthan Royals for a hefty sum of Rs 1.10 crore. With impressive records and performances including the fastest century by an Indian in Under-19 Tests, Suryavanshi is a rising star to watch out for in the world of cricket.
Umran Malik, the young pacer from Jammu & Kashmir, has gone through a rollercoaster ride in his professional cricket career. After an impressive debut in the IPL and for the national team, Malik's performance in the subsequent years declined, leading to limited opportunities. As the IPL mega auction approaches, the 25-year-old talks about his preparations and expectations, while also discussing the improvements and growth in Jammu & Kashmir cricket. He also credits former mentor Justin Langer for his contributions towards boosting the younger players in the state.
After being out of the national team for over two years, Bhuvneshwar Kumar attracts major bids at the IPL mega-auction, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru paying Rs 10.75 crore for the experienced fast bowler. Other lesser-known Indian pacers, such as Deepak Chahar and Mukesh Kumar, also secure good deals as teams struggle to fill their quota of local fast bowlers. However, big names like Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips go unsold.
At the age of 13, Vaibhav Suryavanshi created history by becoming the youngest player to be signed in the IPL auction when he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for 1.1 crore. The left-handed batsman had already made headlines earlier this year when he became one of the youngest ever to play in Ranji Trophy at the age of 12. His recent record-breaking century in a Youth Test match for India Under-19 against Australia U-19 caught the attention of IPL teams, resulting in a bidding war between Royals and Delhi Capitals. Vaibhav's father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, expressed his joy and pride in his son's achievement, calling it a dream come true.
Kerala captain Sachin Baby recently broke the record for most runs for his state in the Ranji Trophy, thanks to his well-made 83 against Uttar Pradesh in the fourth round match. The previous record holder, Iqbal Abdullah, held the title for 10 years before Baby surpassed him. Despite missing out on a century, Baby continues to be in top form and is leading his team in the fifth round match against Haryana.
After retaining their core players, Kolkata Knight Riders made smart choices in the IPL 2025 mega auction, strategically filling gaps in their squad. The franchise splurged on young all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer and made some quality value buys, while also securing a like-for-like replacement for Mitchell Starc. With a strong team in place, KKR is well-positioned for another successful season under a new captain.
Indian pacer Deepak Chahar made headlines as he was signed by Mumbai Indians for a whopping Rs 9.25 Crore at the IPL Auction 2025 in Jeddah. Despite his desire to continue with Chennai Super Kings, the 32-year-old is excited to play for the five-time title winners. He also opened up about his recent injury troubles, training with a football club in the UK, and his goal to make a comeback for team India.
The IPL 2022 auction concluded with some surprising picks and big-money signings. RCB made a late splash in the auction by snaring the likes of Mohit Rathee, Lungi Ngidi, and Abhinandan Singh. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, welcomed back Arjun Tendulkar and also added South African bowler Lizaad Williams to their squad. Punjab Kings made a steal by signing Pravin Dubey for a bargain price of ₹30 lakh while Rajasthan Royals secured the services of promising youngster Kwena Maphaka for a whopping ₹1.50 crore. Other notable signings include New Zealand's Bevon Jacobs, South African youngster Matthew Breetzke, and young Indian duo Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Arshin Kulkarni. CSK also made a low-cost signing in the form of Andre Siddharth for ₹30 lakh. Overall, it was a busy and fruitful day for all the teams as they gear up for the upcoming IPL season.
The young Afghan spinner, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, caused a bidding war between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore before being snatched up by the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, for a hefty price tag of Rs 4.80 Crore. Despite a strong performance in recent matches, KKR eventually backed out of the bidding, giving the blue-shirted Paltans their newest acquisition. With a remarkable ODI debut and impressive performances against South Africa and Bangladesh, Ghazanfar is poised to make a big impact for the defending champions in the upcoming IPL season.