Indian para shuttler Suhas Yathiraj achieves new milestone, becomes World No.1

Indian para shuttler Suhas Yathiraj became the World No.1 player by climbing to the top of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Para Badminton World Rankings. The Indian para-badminton player overtook French star Lucas Mazur to achieve the feat.

Suhas Yathiraj is also an Arjuna Awardee. The 40-year-old Indian para shuttler won the silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics in the SL-4 category. He lost the final against Lucas Mazur. Despite losing the title clash, the Indian para shuttler put up a brilliant display.

Now, with a total of 60,527 points, Suhas Yathiraj is comfortably on top, leaving behind his French competitor Lucas Mazur, who has 58,953 points against his name.

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"Finally World Number 1" - Suhas Yathiraj shares achievement on social media

Expressing his joy at becoming World No.1, the 40-year-old Indian para shuttler took to social media to share:

"Finally World Number 1.

Happy to share that, In the latest Badminton World Federation Para Badminton rankings announced today for Men’s Singles category, I have got world number 1 ranking, first time in life, replacing previously long standing world number 1 Lucas Mazur of France.Thanks a lot for your blessings and wishes.

Jai hind 🙏," Suhas tweeted on X.

Suhas is also a member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from Uttar Pradesh. Earlier this year in February, he also secured the World Championship crown, overcoming Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan.

The SL-4 classification in para badminton is designated to those athletes who have a minor impairment that affects movement on one side of their body, both lower limbs, or a slight absence of a single limb.

The players play standing on a full-width court. They also possess good court movement and a full range of shots.

Barring Suhas Yathiraj, there are three other Indian para shuttlers in the top 10 of the BWF Para Badminton World Rankings, including Sukant Kadam, Tarun Dhillon, and Naveen Sivakumar.

Sukant Kadam is placed fifth with 45832 points to his name. Tarun follows him in the sixth position with 45177 points. Naveen Sivakumar, who is in the eighth position, has 33882 points to his name.