Who is Nitesh Kumar, the badminton star who clinched gold at the Paris Paralympics?

India's Nitesh Kumar made a resounding mark at the Paris Paralympics, securing his first-ever gold medal in a gripping men’s singles SL3 badminton final. On Monday, the 29-year-old from Haryana displayed remarkable tenacity as he outlasted Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in an intense match that lasted an hour and 20 minutes.

?The final scoreline read 21-14, 18-21, 23-21, reflecting the fierce competition between the two athletes. The SL3 category, which is for players with severe lower limb disabilities, is played on a half-width court, adding another layer of challenge to the contest.

Nitesh's victory ensured that India retained the SL3 gold medal, a title previously won by Pramod Bhagat at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago. Facing Bethell, who had defeated him nine times before, Nitesh exhibited extraordinary mental strength, recording his first-ever win against the Tokyo silver medallist.?

The match was filled with intense rallies, including a standout rally of 122 shots in the first game, which lasted nearly three minutes.

Who is Nitesh Kumar?

Nitesh Kumar’s journey to becoming a Paralympic champion is a story of perseverance and passion. Originally, football was his first love. However, a tragic accident in Vizag in 2009 dashed his dreams, leaving him bedridden for months with permanent damage to his leg.?

Despite this life-altering setback, Nitesh’s determination to stay connected to sports never wavered.?While studying at IIT Mandi, Nitesh discovered a new passion for badminton. He spent hours honing his skills, often competing against able-bodied players, which sharpened his game further.

In 2016, he seized the opportunity to represent Haryana at the Para Nationals in Faridabad. His debut was nothing short of impressive, as he secured a bronze medal, signaling the arrival of a promising new talent in para-badminton. The following year, he continued to build on this success by winning a silver medal in singles and a bronze in doubles at the national championships.

Nitesh's breakthrough moment came in 2020 when he triumphed over Tokyo Paralympic medalists Pramod Bhagat and Manoj Sarkar to win the gold medal at the National Championship. This victory solidified his position as one of India’s top para-badminton athletes.

Beyond national successes, Nitesh has also made his mark on the international stage, consistently winning medals at various tournaments. His Paralympic debut in Paris was a crowning achievement in his career.

The son of a navy officer, Nitesh once aspired to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the defense forces. But the accident altered those plans. A visit to the Artificial Limbs Centre in Pune, where he saw war veterans overcoming their injuries, reignited his resolve to conquer his own challenges.?

His para-badminton journey began in earnest at the 2016 Nationals in Faridabad, and he has since gone on to win multiple medals, including three at the 2022 Asian Para Games.

Nitish Kumar's road to medal

In the opening game of the final, Nitesh found himself trailing 6-9 at one stage. However, his unwavering defense allowed him to claw back and enter the break with a two-point lead. He then extended his lead to 18-14 and eventually closed out the first game.

Although he was leading 14-12 in the second game, Bethell made a strong comeback, pushing the match to a deciding game. The final game was a tense affair, with both players battling point for point, moving from 8-8 to 19-19. Nitesh had his first championship point at 20-19 but was unable to convert it. Bethell, too, had a match point at 21-20 but faltered.

In the end, it was Nitesh who seized the moment when Bethell’s shot went long and wide. Reflecting on the match, Nitesh said, “I have lost in such situations against him and I didn’t want to make the same mistakes. I had lost my calm in the past, so I told myself that I should keep fighting for each point. At 19-20 in the decider also I told myself to stick in there and make him earn the point. I usually don’t play with such patience and trust my strokes as they are deceptive, but when I started in the first game here, I planned that I have to play the first few points well to get comfortable. Then I can play my strokes.”

Highlights of Nitesh Kumar's achievements in para-badminton

Nitesh Kumar's achievements are a testament to his skill and dedication. His major accolades include:

Asian Para Games (2022) – Gold Medal in Men’s Doubles (MD)

Asian Para Games (2022) – Silver Medal in Men’s Singles (MS)

Asian Para Games (2022) – Bronze Medal in Mixed Doubles (XD)

Asian Para Games (2018) – Bronze Medal in Men’s Doubles (MD)

World Championship (2024) – Bronze Medal in Men’s Singles (MS)

World Championship (2022) – Silver Medal in Men’s Singles (MS)

World Championship (2019) – Silver Medal in Men’s Doubles (MD)

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