“It was a responsibility for me to win the title” – Nitesh Kumar on how Pramod Bhagat ban boosted him to win Paris Paralympics 2024 gold medal

Indian para-shuttler Nitesh Kumar, who won a gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 event at the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024, said that the forced absence of Pramod Bhagat put added responsibility on him to win a medal at the quadrennial event.

Speaking after a felicitation ceremony organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Nitesh said as quoted by PTI:

“I thought of taking one game at a time, going out there as world No 1, first seed, it was a responsibility for me to win the title, especially when Pramod was unable to participate in the Paralympics.”

“It was an extra responsibility for me to go out and win for India. Entering the final, I knew it would be intense and mentally tough for both of us. I had the confidence to be superior to him and be at my best,” he added.

Pramod Bhagat, who won a gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 event in the Tokyo Paralympics 2020, was handed an 18-month ban by the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) for breaching anti-doping regulations. As a result of the ban, Bhagat was unable to represent India at the Paris Paralympics 2024.

Nitesh Kumar was felicitated on Wednesday along with other para-shuttlers who won medals in the Paris Paralympics 2024, including Thulasimathi Murugesan (silver) and Manisha Ramadass (bronze).

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How was Nitesh Kumar’s Paris Paralympics 2024 para-badminton journey?

Nitesh Kumar, who won gold and silver medals at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, was considered a dark horse at the Paris Paralympics 2024 para-badminton events.

However, the 29-year-old para-athlete blazed through to the final with ease, defeating several Paralympic Games heavyweights along the way.

Nitesh opened his Paris Paralympics 2024 journey with a win against Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Manoj Sarkar, defeating his fellow countryman 21-13, 18-21, 21-18.

He then won his next two group games, winning against veteran para-shuttlers Yang Jinyuan (21-5, 21-11) and Mongkhon Bunsun (21-13, 21-14).

Facing Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Daisuke Fujihara of Japan in the semi-final, Nitesh emerged victorious by a scoreline of 21-16, 21-12 to secure himself a surprise place in the event’s final round.

Nitesh Kumar then faced Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Daniel Bethell of Great Britain in the final match of the men’s singles SL3 event. In a nerve-wracking final that ranked among the very best that Paris Paralympics 2024 had to offer, Nitesh emerged victorious with a scoreline of 21-14, 18-21, 23-21.