Indian shuttlers Nitesh Kumar and Sukant Kadam have advanced to the semifinals of the men’s singles SL3 and SL4 categories, respectively, at the Paris Paralympics after winning their final group matches in straight sets on Saturday. Nitesh, who claimed a silver medal at the Asian Para Games in China last year, defeated Thailand’s Mongkhon Bunsun 21-13, 21-14, securing his third consecutive win to top Group A. Bunsun also progressed to the semifinals as the group’s second-place finisher. The SL3 class is designated for players with severe lower limb disabilities competing on a half-width court, with the top two finishers from each of the two groups advancing to the semifinals.
In Group A, Tokyo Paralympics bronze medallist Manoj Sarkar, who has already been eliminated from the tournament, secured a 21-1, 21-11 win over China’s Yang Jianyuan. Manoj had earlier lost to both Bunsun and Nitesh.
In the men’s singles SL4 category, which is for athletes with lower limb impairments and minor balance issues in walking or running, Sukant joined fellow Indian Suhas Yathiraj in the semifinals after defeating Thailand’s Teamarrom Siripong 21-12, 21-12 to top Group B. This marked his second straight win in the three-player group. Sukant, who won a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games in China last year, expressed his joy at reaching the semifinals in his debut tournament. “I am so happy to have qualified for the semifinals. I was well-prepared for today’s game. The first match was much tougher, but I have played against him plenty of times and was very confident. I focused on playing point by point and performed well,” said Sukant. He also noted the challenging conditions of the hall, saying, “The drift and atmosphere were very different. I am happy that I adapted well this time.”
In the men’s SL4 competition, only the winners of each of the four groups qualify for the semifinals. Meanwhile, Mandeep Kaur reached the quarterfinals of the women’s singles SL3 category after defeating Australia’s Vinot Celine Aurelie. Mandeep rebounded to win her final Group B match 21-23, 21-10, 21-17 against her Australian opponent. She had lost her opening match to Nigeria’s Bolaji Mariam. Mandeep finished second in the three-player Group B to secure a spot in the quarterfinals, while Mariam topped the group to advance directly to the semifinals. Group A and C winners advanced directly to the semifinals, while the top two teams from Group B, along with the second-place finishers from Groups A and C, will compete in the quarterfinals for the remaining two semifinal spots.
In Friday’s late-night matches, Suhas Yathiraj and Palak Kohli lost their opening mixed doubles SL3 match 11-21, 17-21 against the top-seeded Indonesian pair Hikmat Ramdani and Leani Ratri Oktila. In another Group A SL3 mixed doubles match featuring Indian players, Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan narrowly lost 22-24, 19-21 to the French duo Faustine Noel and Lucas Mazur. The only victory in the mixed doubles came from Nithya Sivan Sumathy and Sivarajan Solaimalai, who defeated Thailand’s Natthapong Meechai and Chai Saeyang 21-7, 21-17 in Group B.
Later on Saturday, Nitesh Kumar, Krishna Nagar, Manoj Sarkar, Sukant Kadam, Sivarajan Solaimalai, and Tarun will compete in various categories of men’s singles. In the women’s singles events, Manisha Ramdass and Nithya Sivan Sumathy will also present their challenges.
