Indian Para-Badminton Star Nitesh Kumar Wins Gold at Paris 2024 Paralympics

Indian para-badminton player Nitesh Kumar made India proud by winning a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. He competed in the Men’s Singles SL3 category, which is for athletes who have difficulty walking or running due to leg issues. Nitesh, who is 29 years old, became the third Indian to win this honor, staying unbeaten throughout the tournament. In a thrilling final, he defeated Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell with a close score of 21-14, 18-21, 23-21. This is India’s second gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games, following shooter Avani Lekhra’s victory.

Early Life and Career

Nitesh Kumar was born on December 30, 1994, in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana. Today, he is the World No. 1 in his category. His love for sports began when he was a child, especially enjoying football. However, in 2009, he had an accident that permanently injured his leg. Even after this, he continued to love sports and became interested in badminton while studying Electrical Engineering at IIT-Mandi.

Nitesh started playing para-badminton after attending a conference for people with disabilities. In 2016, he played in his first national tournament, winning a bronze medal. By 2020, he was winning gold at national levels, even defeating Paralympic medallists. Nitesh has now become one of India’s top para-badminton players, winning many medals at international events.

Government Support and Success

Nitesh’s success has been supported by the government, which provided him with financial help for equipment and training. This included a special artificial leg to help him play. He also received money to cover his training and competition costs, allowing him to focus on becoming the best.

Nitesh Kumar’s gold medal win at the Paris 2024 Paralympics is a huge achievement for Indian para-badminton. His journey from overcoming a serious injury to becoming a world champion shows his incredible strength and dedication. Nitesh’s story is an inspiration to many, proving that with hard work and support, anything is possible.