New Delhi: In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian sports, Manisha Ramadass secured the bronze medal in the women’s singles SU5 category at the Paris Paralympics 2024. At just 19 years old, she has become the first Indian woman to win a badminton medal at the Paralympics, etching her name into the annals of sports history.

A Dominant Display of Skill

On Monday, Manisha Ramadass delivered an exceptional performance, triumphing over Denmark’s Cathrine Rosengren with scores of 21-12 and 21-8. The match, held at the LA Chapelle Arena Court 3, was completed in just 25 minutes. From the outset, Manisha exhibited remarkable control and precision, maintaining a strong lead throughout both games and ensuring her path to the bronze medal was smooth and commanding.

Path to the Podium

Manisha’s journey to the podium was marked by a series of impressive victories and a few challenges. Her campaign began with a decisive win against France’s Maud Lefort in the group stage. She continued her strong form by overcoming China’s Yang Qiuxia to advance to the top 8. In the quarter-finals, Manisha defeated Japan’s Mamiko Toyoda with ease, further demonstrating her prowess on the court.

However, the semi-finals presented a tough challenge as Manisha faced Thulasimathi Murugesan. Despite her best efforts, she missed the chance to compete for gold. Nonetheless, her performance in securing the bronze medal was a testament to her resilience and skill.

An Inspiring Journey

Manisha Ramadass’s rise to the Paralympic stage is both inspiring and remarkable. Born with Erb’s Palsy, she discovered her passion for para-badminton through a friend’s recommendation in 2019. Despite her challenges, her dedication to the sport has been unwavering. Her competitive journey began with the Para Badminton State Championship, and she quickly rose to prominence.

Inspired by badminton legend Saina Nehwal, Manisha has achieved significant milestones early in her career. She reached the pinnacle of para-badminton by becoming World No. 1 in her first year of competition and won the gold medal at the 2022 World Championships in Japan. Her success continued with three bronze medals at the 2022 Asian Para Games, further establishing her as a formidable athlete.

Impact on Indian Para-Badminton

Manisha’s historic bronze medal win at the Paris Paralympics marks a significant moment for Indian para-badminton. Her achievement not only highlights her individual talent but also elevates the profile of para-sports in India. Her success is likely to inspire future generations of athletes and contribute to the growing recognition of para-sports on the global stage.

Thulasimathi Murugesan’s Silver Performance

In addition to Manisha’s triumph, the final match of the SU5 category saw Indian shuttler Thulasimathi Murugesan competing for gold. The 22-year-old, who was the top seed, faced a strong opponent in China’s Yang Qiuxia. Despite a valiant effort, Thulasimathi finished with a silver medal after losing the final with scores of 17-21 and 10-21. Her performance was commendable and reflects the competitive spirit of Indian para-badminton.

Looking Ahead

With Manisha Ramadass’s bronze medal, the future of Indian para-badminton looks bright. Her exceptional talent and dedication position her as a prominent figure in the international arena. As she continues to build on her success, Manisha is set to inspire and pave the way for the next generation of para-athletes in India.

In summary, Manisha Ramadass’s historic win at the Paris Paralympics represents a major milestone in Indian sports history. Her performance underscores her remarkable skill and dedication, setting a new standard in para-badminton and serving as an inspiration to athletes worldwide.

New Delhi: India is all set to create history at the Paris Paralympics 2024 with an unprecedented 84 athletes competing across 12 sports, marking the largest contingent the nation has ever sent to the Paralympic Games. This follows the remarkable success at the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics, where India secured 19 medals, including five golds. The Indian team is determined to surpass this achievement and bring home even more honors.

Among the standout athletes in the lineup are Avani Lekhara, Manish Narwal, Krishna Nagar, and Sumit Antil, all of whom clinched gold in Tokyo. These athletes, along with others in the contingent, are poised to lead India to new heights on the global stage.

The campaign officially kicks off on August 29, with athletics being one of the main focal points. A total of 38 Indian athletes will compete in various athletics events, aiming to add to the country’s impressive track record in this category. Historically, athletics has been India’s strongest area at the Paralympics, accounting for 18 of the nation’s 31 medals.

India’s Athletics Schedule at Paris Paralympics 2024

August 30

• 13:30: Women’s Discus Throw F55 Final – Karam Jyoti, Sakshi Kasana
• 14:00: Women’s 100m T35 Round 1 – Preethi Pal
• 16:39: Women’s 100m T35 Final – Preethi Pal* (if qualified)
• 00:20: Men’s Shot Put F37 Final – Manu

August 31

• 22:30: Men’s Javelin Throw F57 Final – Parveen Kumar

September 1

• 13:40: Women’s 1500m T11 Round 1 – Rakshitha Raju
• 15:09: Men’s Shot Put F40 Final – Ravi Rongali
• 22:58: Men’s High Jump T47 Final – Ram Pal, Nishad Kumar
• 23:08: Women’s 200m T35 Final – Preethi Pal* (if qualified)

September 2

• 13:35: Men’s Discus Throw F56 Final – Yogesh Kathuniya
• 13:40: Women’s 1500m T11 Final – Rakshitha Raju* (if qualified)
• 22:30: Men’s Javelin Throw F64 Final – Sumit Antil, Sandeep, Sandip Sanjay Sargar
• 22:34: Women’s Discus Throw F53 Final – Kanchan Lakhani
• 23:50: Women’s 400m T20 Round 1 – Deepthi Jeevanji
• 00:10: Men’s Javelin Throw F46 Final – Ajeet Singh, Rinku, Sundar Singh Gurjar

September 3

• 14:26: Women’s Shot Put F34 Final – Bhagyashri Madhavrao Jadhav
• 22:38: Women’s 400m T20 Final – Deepthi Jeevanji* (if qualified)
• 23:40: Men’s High Jump T63 Final – Mariyappan Thangavelu, Shailesh Kumar, Sharad Kumar

September 4

• 13:35: Men’s Shot Put F46 Final – Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, Mohd. Yasser, Rohit Kumar
• 15:16: Women’s Shot Put F46 Final – Amisha Rawat
• 22:50: Men’s Club Throw F51 Final – Dharambir, Amit Kumar, Pranav Soorma
• 23:00: Women’s 100m T12 Round 1 – Simran

September 5

• 15:10: Women’s 100m T12 Semifinal – Simran* (if qualified)
• 22:47: Women’s 100m T12 Final – Simran* (if qualified)
• 23:49: Men’s Shot Put F35 Final – Arvind

September 6

• 13:39: Women’s 200m T12 Round 1 – Simran
• 14:08: Men’s Javelin Throw F54 Final – Dipesh Kumar
• 14:47: Men’s 400m T47 Round 1 – Dilip Mahadu Gavit
• 15:18: Men’s High Jump T64 Final – Praveen Kumar
• 22:30: Men’s Shot Put F57 Final – Soman Rana, Hokato Hotozhe Sema
• 22:48: Women’s Javelin Throw F46 Final – Bhavanaben Ajabaji Chaudhary
• 23:10: Women’s 200m T12 Semifinal – Simran* (if qualified)

September 7

• 22:30: Men’s Javelin Throw F41 Final – Navdeep
• 23:03: Women’s 200m T12 Final – Simran* (if qualified)
• 00:29: Men’s 400m T47 Final – Dilip Mahadu Gavit* (if qualified)

The Paris Paralympics 2024 are expected to be an exhilarating event for Indian sports enthusiasts. The opening ceremony is scheduled for August 28, and the games will run until September 9. Fans across India can watch the action live on Sports18, with streaming available on JioCinema. The nation will be eagerly cheering on its athletes as they aim for glory and set new benchmarks in the Paralympic arena.