Who Is Nitesh Kumar? IIT-Mandi Graduate Who Won Paralympics Men’s SL3 Badminton Gold In Paris

Paris: Nitesh Kumar might have won a gold medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024, but there was a time when he was bedridden for months – hopes dwindling and spirit broken. Losing his left leg in a train accident in Visakhapatnam in 2009, despair consumed Nitesh’s mind as he struggled to find a path forward. A fan of Pramod Bhagat and Virat Kohli, Nitesh always wanted to serve the country in Navy or Army like his father. But the tragic accident back dashed all his dreams. But a visit to the Artificial Limbs Centre in Pune realigned Nitesh’s perspective. He saw war veterans, who had lost limbs, pushing their limits at the Centre.

15 years later, Nitesh is standing on the top of the world as he grabbed his maiden gold medal at the Paralympics after beating Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in a thrilling men’s singles SL3 badminton final in Paris. The 29-year-old from Haryana was rock solid in his defence and spot on with his shot selections as he beat Tokyo silver medallist Bethell 21-14, 18-21, 23-21 in an absorbing contest that lasted an hour and 20 minutes.

Nitesh’s victory on Monday ensured that India retained the SL3 gold after Pramod Bhagat clinched the title three years ago when para badminton made its debut in Tokyo. Currently ranked World No. 1 in the men’s singles SL3 category, Nitesh demonstrated a remarkable dedication to sports. With a degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT-Mandi, he has achieved excellence in academia and sports.

Well done, Nitesh Kumar! Your Gold medal in the Para Badminton – Men’s Singles SL3 is a shining example of what determination and passion can achieve. Congratulations!#Paraolympics2024 pic.twitter.com/5eKMwhPNAo

— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) September 2, 2024

Nitesh’s journey into sports began during childhood when he developed a passion for football. However, a life-changing event kept him bedridden for months and resulting in permanent leg damage. Despite this setback, his interest in sports persisted, particularly during his time at IIT-Mandi, where he discovered a newfound fascination for badminton.

Over the following years, Nitesh honed his skills on the badminton court, often competing against able-bodied peers during breaks from his studies. His introduction to parasports came through a conference catering to individuals with disabilities, opening up new avenues for him in the sporting world.

In 2016, Nitesh seized a chance to represent the Haryana team at the Para Nationals in Faridabad, marking his debut in national-level competition. His performance exceeded expectations, earning him a bronze medal. The subsequent year, 2017, proved pivotal for Nitesh as he clinched silver in singles and bronze in doubles events in Bengaluru, further solidifying his presence in the para-badminton scene.

The pinnacle of Nitesh’s domestic success came in the 2020 Nationals, where he triumphed over Tokyo Paralympic medalists Pramod and Manoj to secure the gold medal. Beyond national accolades, Nitesh has also showcased his prowess on the international stage, accumulating numerous medals in various tournaments and, now he is ready for his Paralympic debut.