Paralympics: Nitesh says he felt extra responsibility in Pramod's absence

India's gold medal winner in badminton men's singles Nitesh Kumar on Wednesday said Pramod Bhagat's absence from the Paris Paralympics gave him extra responsibility to win the title.

Nitesh, who clinched the gold in men's singles SLC category, Thulasimathi Murugesan (silver), Suhas Yathiraj (silver), Manisha Ramadass (bronze) and Nithya Sre Sivan (bronze) were on Wednesday felicitated by the minister of youth affairs and sports Mansukh Mandaviya for their feat here at the SAI headquarters.

Nitesh said his mantra was to take it one game at a time at the Paralympics after Bhagat was suspended for 18 months ahead of the Para Games.

"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, he told PTI in an exclusive interaction.

It was an extra responsibility for me to go out and win for India. Entering the final, I knew it would be intense an