KRISHNA Nagar secured a second Gold medal in badminton after Suhas Yathiraj claimed a Silver as it turned out to be a Super Sunday for the Indian badminton contingent at the Tokyo Paralympics here. The 22-year-old Nagar, seeded second, defeated Hong Kong’s Chu Man Kai 21-17 16-21 21-17 in the men’s singles SH6 class final to retain his unbeaten run at the Games and join compatriot Pramod Bhagat in the Gold medal winning list. Bhagat had claimed India’s first Gold in badminton in SL3 class on Saturday. “This is a dream come true. I want to thank my father, mother, uncle, auntie, God, my coaches,” said Nagar after winning India’s fifth Gold at the Games.

 

“This is the first time that badminton has been added to the Paralympics and I hope that India will keep winning and doing their best at upcoming Games.” Suhas ended his campaign with a Silver after going down fighting against top seed Lucas Mazur of France in the men’s singles SL4 class final. The 38-year-old Noida District Magistrate, who has an impairment in one of his ankles, produced an entertaining performance before narrowly going down 21-15 17-21 15-21 to two-time world champion Mazur in the summit clash. Bhagat and Palak Kohli, however, lost 21-23 19-21 in mixed doubles Sl3-SU5 class Bronze medal playoff.

 

Nagar, who has a short stature impairment, picked up the sport after being encouraged by his cousin. However, he started playing the sport seriously only four years back and ended up winning a bronze at Para Asian Games before claiming a Bronze and Silver at 2019 World Championships in singles and doubles respectively. Nagar got his act together in the decider, cruising to 5-1 lead before moving to 7-2 with Chu Man struggling with his finishing. Nagar stepped up his game in the final stages and unleashed a series of smashes. He grabbed four match points with another superb return, squandered one before rushing into the arms of coach Gaurav Khanna in celebration after his rival went wide again. Tokyo Paralympics will always have special place in Indian sports history: PM Modi: WITH Indian athletes putting up their best ever show at the Tokyo Paralympics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that their feat will always have a special place in the history of Indian sports and expressed hope to build on these successes to ensure greater participation in sports. Modi also praised the people of host Japan, particularly Tokyo, and its Government.