Nitesh reaches men’s singles SL3 final in Paris Paralympics badminton

Top-seeded Indian shuttler Nitesh Kumar secured a medal in men’s singles SL3 category after a commanding straight-game win over Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara in the semifinals at the Paris Paralympics on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Nitesh, who overcame permanent leg damage from a 2009 accident, showed his dominance with a 21-16 21-12 win over Fujihara in a 48-minute semifinal.

The IIT Mandi graduate thus ensured that India return with a medal from the SL3 category, after Pramod Bhagat clinched the gold when para badminton made its debut three years ago in Tokyo.

SL3 class players, like Nitesh, compete with more severe lower limb disabilities, requiring play on a half-width court.

In the summit clash, Nitesh will face Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell, who beat Thailand’s Bunsun Mongkhon 21-7, 21-9 in the other semifinal.

Bethell, who was the runner-up to Pramod Bhagat in the Tokyo Paralympics, is a formidable opponent, setting the stage for an electrifying final on Monday.

Earlier, Manisha Ramadass assured India of another medal from the badminton courts by setting up the women’s singles SU5 semifinal with compatriot Thulasimathi Murugesan but star shooter Avani Lekhara missed out on repeating her medal-winning feat at the Paris Paralympics here Sunday.

The 19-year-old Manisha, who was born with Erb’s palsy which affected her right arm, had no trouble in dispatching Japan’s Mamiko Toyoda 21-13 21-16 in the quarterfinals. The second seeded Indian left-hander needed 30 minutes to down her unseeded rival.

Erb’s palsy is a nerve disorder in the shoulder and arm that results in weakness or loss of muscle function.

In the last four, Manisha will meet top seed Thulasimathi, who had defeated Portugal’s Beatriz Monteiro in group A on Saturday.

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