Nitesh Kumar of India won the men’s singles SL3 badminton gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in a nail-biting contest that went 21-14, 18-21, 23-21. Daniel Bethell of England was the runner-up. After losing his left leg in a terrible rail accident in Visakhapatnam in 2009, Nitesh embarked on an incredible path, and this win marks a milestone in his journey.
Nitesh took the IIT admission examinations while he was in rehabilitation. In 2013, he enrolled at IIT Mandi, where he found badminton to be his love. In 2016, he competed for Haryana in the Para National Championships, marking the beginning of his para-badminton career. After winning the Irish Para-Badminton International in 2017—his debut international tournament—he went on to win additional titles at the Asian Para Games and the BWF Para-Badminton World Circuit.
As an additional role, Nitesh coaches badminton for the Haryana Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.
With two golds, India’s total medal haul at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris stands at eleven. India’s SL3 badminton legacy continues with Nitesh’s success, which follows Pramod Bhagat’s win in Tokyo 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations and complimented his abilities and determination.
