Suhas Yathiraj, a silver medallist from Tokyo Games, is set to become the first Indian shuttler to win back-to-back medals at the Paralympics after outplaying compatriot Sukant Kadam in straight games to reach the men's singles SL4 final in Paris on Sunday.
The 41-year-old Suhas, a 2007 batch IAS officer, beat Sukant 21-17, 21-12 to make yet another final at the global showpiece.
Suhas, who served as the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar during the COVID-19 pandemic and was also the DM of Prayagraj, delivered a commanding performance to book his place in the final.
He will now face France's Lucas Mazur, aiming to settle the score after losing to him in the Tokyo Paralympics final three years ago.
"I still can't believe (back-to-back finals). I thank God. I tried my best and didn't let pressure get to me," Suhas said.
Talking about Mazur, Suhas, who never let his ankle impairment hinder his passion for badminton, said: "We know each other very well. I defeated him in World championships this year and he would want to take revenge.
"I lost to him in Tokyo but fortunately I have won Asian Para Games gold, became world no 1. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. I will just go out there and enjoy myself."
Sukant will next play for the bronze medal.
A computer engineer-turned-IAS officer, Suhas has never let his ankle impairment hinder his passion for badminton.
Currently posted as the Secretary and Director-General of Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal under the Uttar Pradesh government, Suhas's journey from administration to the badminton court is all about his remarkable perseverance.
With his victory, Suhas joins Nitesh Kumar (SL3) in keeping India's hopes of a gold medal alive at the Paris Paralympics.
Thulasimathi beats Manisha to enter final
Thulasimathi Murugesan outlasted compatriot Manisha Ramadass in an all-India affair to reach the women's singles SU5 badminton final at the Paralympics.
Murugesan, the top-seed from Tamil Nadu, defeated Ramadass 23-21, 21-17 in the semi-final played on Sunday night.
"It is like a dream come true. There is happiness but I need to prepare for the final. I mentally prepared for this match. We have a healthy competition every time (Manisha). Strategy for final, we are playing after a long time, we will see. It has been a very hard journey for me," Murugesan said after the win.
The SU5 category is for athletes with impairment on the upper limbs, which could be in the playing or the non playing hand.
Assured of at least a silver medal, the 22-year-old Murgesan will face a stiff test from China's Yang Qiuxia in the final on Monday.
Only six athletes are competing the women's singles SU5 category at the Paris Paralympics.
Having started at a tender age of seven, Murugesan has gone on to become an accomplished para athlete. She won three medals at the 2022 Para Asian Games including a gold in women's singles.
She was born with a congenital deformity in her left hand resulting in the loss of her thumb finger. A major accident further limited the mobility of her left hand.
