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: Day 5 of the Paris Paralympics 2024 was a standout day for India, with athletes delivering exceptional performances and securing a total of eight medals. This surge has brought India’s overall tally to 15 medals, placing the nation in 15th position in the medal standings.

Sumit Antil Shines with Record-Breaking Javelin Throw
Indian javelin thrower Sumit Antil continued his dominance from the Tokyo Paralympics by clinching gold once again. Antil set two new Paralympic records on this day, with a throw of 69.11 meters on his first attempt and then a further 70.59 meters, showcasing his impressive skill and consistency.

Nitesh Kumar Secures Gold in a Thrilling Badminton Final
Nitesh Kumar delivered an exhilarating performance in the men’s singles SL3 category, overcoming Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in a hard-fought final. The match ended with a nail-biting score of 21-14, 18-21, 23-21, as Kumar demonstrated remarkable resilience and precision.

Bronze for Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi in Archery
In archery, Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi bounced back from earlier disappointments to win bronze in the mixed compound open event. The Indian pair narrowly defeated Italy 156-155, highlighting their skill and determination.

Yogesh Kathuniya Claims Silver in Discus Throw
Yogesh Kathuniya added another silver medal to his collection with a throw of 42.22 meters in the men’s discus throw (F56 category). Despite a strong performance, Kathuniya fell short of Brazil’s Claudiney Batista Dos Santos, who set a new Paralympic record.

Suhas Yathiraj and Thulasimathi Murugesan Earn Silver Medals
In badminton, Suhas Yathiraj and Thulasimathi Murugesan both achieved silver medals in their respective categories. Yathiraj faced a tough match against France’s Lucas Mazur, while Murugesan was defeated by China’s Yang Qiuxia.

Additional Bronze Medals in Badminton
India’s medal tally was further enhanced by Manisha Ramadass and Nithya Sre Sivan, who earned bronze medals in the women’s SU5 and SH6 badminton events, respectively.

India’s remarkable achievements on Day 5 underscore the nation’s growing prowess in Paralympic sports and continue to inspire on the global stage.

New Delhi: Indian shuttler Mandeep Kaur has secured her place in the quarterfinals of the women’s singles SL3 event at the Paris Paralympics. On Saturday, she triumphed over Australia’s Vinot Celine Aurelie with scores of 21-23, 21-10, 21-17. Despite an earlier loss to Nigeria’s Bolaji Mariam, Mandeep’s strong performance in her final group match ensured she finished second in Group B and progressed to the next stage. Bolaji Mariam, who topped the group, advanced directly to the semifinals, along with the leaders from Groups A and C. The second-place finishers from Groups A, B, and C will compete for the remaining semifinal spots.

The SL3 class is for athletes with severe lower limb disabilities, competing on a half-width court.

In other mixed doubles SL3 matches on Friday night, Indian pairs faced stiff competition. Suhas Yathiraj and Palak Kohli were defeated 11-21, 17-21 by the top-seeded Indonesian duo of Hikmat Ramdani and Leani Ratri Oktila. Additionally, Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan lost 22-24, 19-21 to the French team of Faustine Noel and Lucas Mazur. However, Nithya Sivan Sumathy and Sivarajan Solaimalai managed to secure a win, overcoming Thailand’s Natthapong Meechai and Chai Saeyang with scores of 21-7, 21-17.

On Saturday, Indian athletes Nitesh Kumar, Krishna Nagar, Manoj Sarkar, Sukant Kadam, Sivarajan Solaimalai, and Tarun will be competing in various men’s singles events, while Manisha Ramdass and Nithya Sivan Sumathy will be in action in the women’s singles categories.

New Delhi: Over 100 members of the Indian contingent, including 52 athletes, are set to make their mark at the Paris Paralympics opening ceremony on Wednesday. This ceremony will be historic, as it will be the first time the event is held outside a traditional stadium, taking place at the iconic Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde in Paris.

However, several Indian athletes, including the entire 10-member shooting team, will not participate in the parade of nations due to their upcoming competitions on Thursday. Devendra Jhajharia, President of the Paralympics Committee of India, emphasized that athletes with events on August 29 must focus on their performance rather than the opening festivities. “It would be challenging for these athletes to compete the following day if they take part in the ceremony,” Jhajharia stated.

The shooting team, led by star athlete Avani Lekhara, who is defending her Tokyo Paralympics gold medal, is based in Chateauroux, over 200 kilometers from Paris. The distance and tight competition schedule necessitate their absence from the ceremony.

India’s contingent for the parade will include 106 members, comprising 52 athletes and 54 officials. Javelin thrower Sumit Antil (F64) and shot putter Bhagyashree Jadhav (F34), both defending champions from Tokyo, will serve as joint flag bearers for India.

India is participating with a record 84-member team at the Paris Paralympics, aiming for a strong medal tally of 25, with hopes for double-digit gold medals. In the previous Tokyo Paralympics, India secured an impressive 19 medals, including five golds, with a smaller 54-member team. The Indian athletes are determined to surpass their past achievements and shine on the global stage in Paris.

New Delhi: Archana Kamath, a prominent figure in Indian table tennis, has announced her decision to retire from the sport and focus on her academic aspirations in the United States. This decision comes on the heels of her pivotal role in helping the Indian women’s table tennis team make history at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

At just 24 years old, Kamath played a crucial part in the team’s historic achievement, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time ever. During their match against Germany, which ended in a 1-3 defeat for the Indian team, Kamath was the only player to secure a win. Despite her impressive performance, she has decided to step away from professional table tennis due to concerns over the sport’s long-term viability and financial stability.

Kamath’s decision follows a candid discussion with her coach, Anshul Garg, about her future in the sport. Both agreed that achieving an Olympic medal would be exceptionally challenging given her current world ranking and the dominance of countries like China in table tennis. Garg acknowledged Kamath’s recent progress but respected her decision, noting that once she is determined, it is difficult to sway her.

Girish Kamath, Archana’s father, emphasized that her decision to retire was driven by her passion for academics rather than financial reasons. Kamath has always balanced her athletic career with her academic pursuits, earning a degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in International Relations, Strategies, and Securities. Now, she plans to focus entirely on her studies in Michigan.

Kamath’s retirement marks the end of a notable chapter in her life. Having dedicated 15 years to the sport and representing India with distinction, she leaves behind a legacy of dedication and achievement. Her transition to academia represents a new chapter, driven by her longstanding commitment to education and personal growth.

New Delhi: Chinese badminton player He Bingjiao has announced her retirement from international badminton at the age of 27. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) made the announcement on August 13. Although she will no longer compete internationally, He Bingjiao plans to continue participating in domestic tournaments.

He Bingjiao’s decision comes following a notable achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she secured a silver medal in the women’s singles event. In the final, she faced South Korea’s top-seeded player, An Se Young, and was defeated with scores of 13-21, 16-21. Despite the loss, this second-place finish stands as her most significant accomplishment in a major tournament. Her path to the final was marked by key victories, including a win over India’s PV Sindhu in the Round of 16 and a triumph over second seed Chen Yufei in the quarter-finals.

A memorable moment from the Paris Games was He Bingjiao’s tribute to Spanish shuttler Carolina Marin, who had to retire from their semi-final match due to injury. On the podium, He Bingjiao wore a Spanish pin to honor Marin, who was unable to pursue her second Olympic gold medal.

Throughout her career, He Bingjiao has demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience. Her career record includes 336 wins and 125 losses from 461 singles matches, with an impressive 27 victories out of 36 games in 2024 alone. She began her badminton journey with rigorous training at Suzhou Junior Sports School and made her senior international debut at the 2013 Vietnam Open.

He Bingjiao first gained prominence in 2014 by finishing as the runner-up in the BWF World Junior Championships to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi. Later that year, she won gold at the Youth Olympic Games held in Nanjing. In addition to her individual successes, she played a key role in China’s victories in the Sudirman Cup and Uber Cup. She also earned bronze medals at the 2018 and 2021 World Championships.

Her retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the sport, but her contributions and achievements will continue to inspire the badminton community.

New Delhi: Indian badminton champion PV Sindhu is setting her sights on making history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by seeking her third consecutive Olympic medal. After securing silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020, Sindhu is determined to add another medal to her collection despite some recent inconsistent performances. Her preparation for the Games has been thorough, with a focus on intensive training guided by mentor Prakash Padukone.

To adapt to the conditions she will face in Paris, Sindhu trained at Sportcampus Saar in Saarbrucken, Germany, where she mimicked the altitude and weather conditions similar to those in the French capital. She used a hypoxic chamber in her room to simulate high-altitude training—a choice made due to time constraints and the need to maintain her competitive edge. This innovative method aims to enhance her physical readiness for the Olympic challenges.

Sindhu has worked on improving her strokes and increasing her consistency during long rallies, which are crucial in women’s singles. She is confident that her refined techniques and strategic preparation will be evident in her performances on the court.

Reflecting on her Olympic journey, Sindhu acknowledges the varying pressures and experiences from previous Games but remains optimistic about her chances in Paris. She views each Olympic event as a new challenge and is hopeful for a successful outcome, regardless of the exact medal count. Her meticulous training and unwavering determination are setting the stage for a potential historic achievement.