'Better Results This Time': Para-Shuttler Nitesh Kumar Celebrates Double Medal Triumph
Para-shuttler Nitesh Kumar celebrates a gold and silver medal haul at the Asian Para Games, contributing to India's record-breaking performance.
Indian Paralympic champion Nitesh Kumar has expressed immense pride and satisfaction following a stellar campaign at the Asian Para Games, where he managed to secure medals in two different categories. The para-shuttler, who reached two finals during the event, highlighted that his performance this time around was a significant step up from his previous achievements.
A Golden Upgrade for Nitesh Kumar
Nitesh clinched the gold medal in the men's SL3 singles competition, marking a personal victory as he upgraded his previous silver medal in the same category. He didn't stop there, adding a silver medal to his tally in the mixed SL3-SU5 competition alongside partner Thulasimathi Murugesan.
Reflecting on his journey, Nitesh told ANI, "I am feeling very proud after winning a gold medal for the nation. Playing two finals is a matter of pride. I got three medals last time, but I had better results this time." He noted that in the mixed category, he successfully "changed the colour" of his medal from bronze to silver.
Attributing his success to a strong support system and tactical adaptability, Nitesh added:
"My family supported me a lot. This medal would not have been possible without them. We adjusted to the venue match by match and executed our strategies really well."
Debutants Make Their Mark
While Nitesh provided the veteran brilliance, several Indian debutants also found their way to the podium, adding to the nation's glory:
- Sanjana Kumari: Secured a bronze medal in the women's singles SL3. She described the achievement as "huge" given the tough competition in her category and thanked her coach, Gaurav Khanna, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
- Abhijeet Sakhuja: Won bronze in the men's SL4 singles. Sakhuja admitted to the pressure of the big stage but explained that he stayed focused by taking the game "one match at a time—and even one point at a time."
- Suryakant Yadav: Claimed bronze in the men's doubles SL3–SU5. Already a medalist in the Asian and World Championships, Yadav has now set his sights on the Los Angeles Paralympics.
India's Historic Medal Haul
The para-badminton squad contributed 16 medals to India's overall tally, consisting of three gold, five silver, and eight bronze medals. This effort was part of a larger, record-breaking performance by the Indian contingent at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
India concluded the Asian Para Games 2026 with a historic total of 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze. This surpasses the previous edition's tally of 108 medals.
Efficiency Over Volume
What makes this achievement particularly remarkable is that India accomplished this feat with a significantly smaller squad. Only 168 para-athletes represented India in 2026, a sharp decrease from the 309 athletes who competed in Hangzhou. Despite the smaller numbers, the contingent delivered world-record performances and historic podium sweeps across various disciplines.