Paris Paralympics 2024: Nitesh Kumar wins gold in Badminton Men's Singles SL3 by beating Daniel Bethell

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Paris Paralympics 2024: Nitesh Kumar won India's second gold medal by beating Great Britain's Daniel Bethell 21-14, 18-21, 23-2 in the badminton Men's Singles SL3 final.

Interestingly, India's Pramod Bhagat had defeated the same opponent in Tokyo Paralympics to win gold for the country. Bethell was again forced to settle with a silver medal, despite fighting back in the second game with a 21-18 win.

However, Nitesh Kumar reserved his best for the last, and lost just two points in the final game as he raced to a gold medal at the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024.

Nitesh Kumar, an IIT Mandi Graduate, had met Daniel Bethell nine times prior to the summit clash, and lost on each occasion. This is India's first badminton medal at the Paralympics 2024, and ninth medal overall. Shooter Avani Lekhara won India's other gold medal.

Earlier, Nitesh assured a medal for India in men’s singles SL3 category after a commanding straight-game win over Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara in the semi-finals.

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.

SL3 class players, like Nitesh, compete with severe lower limb disabilities, requiring play on a half-width court. His para-badminton career began in 2016 when he earned a spot in the Haryana team to participate in the Para National Championships. Nitesh won his first international title at the Irish Para-Badminton International in 2017

India are assured of at least two more medals in badminton. Later in the day, the contingent will participate in multiple medal matches, including two finals.

(With Input From PTI)