Nitesh Kumar won the gold medal in Paralympics Paris 2024 in the Men’s Singles SL3 badminton event. The SL3 is a Paralympics design for disabled athletes in the lower limbs. In our post, we will discuss Nitesh Kumar where he belongs his background, career, and his struggles.
Nitesh Kumar Paralympic Player Early Life and Background
Nitesh Kumar born in charkhi Dadri, Haryana on 30 December 1994. He was fond of football but life had other plans for him. In 2009 lost his left leg in a train accident in Visakhapatnam.
“When I lost my leg in an accident everything was shattered wanted to become an army officer but that dream I could not dull fill but happy that I am a para-athlete and have won a medal for Nation. My father was a support system for me want to dedicate my medal to him. Never giving up the process and thought is the key for me” Nitesh told In a Interview with Sports Tak.
He was on bed rest during his time to recover but in the meantime, he prepared for the IIT entrance exams. His determination and hard work gave him success and he got admission to IIT Mandi in 2014.
In the IIT Mandi, he discovers his interest in badminton. After some time he represented Team Haryana at the Para National Championships 2016, this was the start of his success in his career as a Para badminton player.
Nitesh Kumar Paralympic Player Career and Achievements
Nitesh Kumar gold winner at the Paralympics Paris 2024 belongs to Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, he was awarded his gold medal in Para Badminton after defeating Daniel Bethell in the final match of the SL3 category. Sl3 is a category where players with lower limb impairment play.
“I had goosebumps when the national anthem was being played and the Indian flag was going up. It was an amazing feeling, hard to describe,” said Nitesh.
His family is so proud of his achievements “I had a short video call and they were so happy. I saw tears in my parents’ eyes. It has been a long journey and I want to go out and enjoy this moment with my family.”
In 2016 he won a bronze medal in the Para National Championship held in Faridabad in the same year he won the Irish Para Badminton International. He won many matches at The BWF Para-Badminton World Circuit and secured one silver and bronze medal in the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships.
His most appreciating and incredible achievements are winning gold medals at the Para Asian Games and the 2024 Paralympics. He also won silver and bronze at Last year’s Para Asian Games.
He is also a Senior Badminton Coach in Haryana’s Sports and Youth Affairs Department.
Nitesh Kumar’s Winning Over Years.
| Event | Year | Medal | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Para Games | 2022 | Gold | MD |
| Asian Para Games | 2022 | Silver | MS |
| Asian Para Games | 2022 | Bronze | XD |
| Asian Para Games | 2018 | Bronze | MD |
| World Championship | 2024 | Bronze | MS |
| World Championship | 2022 | Silver | MS |
| World Championship | 2019 | Silver | MD |