Paris: India’s medal tally at the Paris Paralympics 2024 has reached an impressive 11, with a historic performance in para-badminton marking a significant milestone. Tulsimathi Murugesan clinched a silver medal in the women’s SU5 category, making her the first Indian female badminton player to secure a medal at the Paralympics. Her achievement brings India to double digits in the total number of medals won at this year’s Games.
Murugesan’s remarkable journey to the silver medal, however, ended in a closely contested final against China’s Yang Qiu Jia, who also claimed the gold in the previous Paralympics. Despite a strong start, Murugesan struggled to maintain her momentum, losing the first set 17-21 and the second 10-21. Nevertheless, her historic silver win is a proud moment for India and a significant breakthrough for Indian women in the sport.
While Murugesan narrowly missed out on gold, she has nonetheless set a new standard for Indian para-badminton. This silver medal marks her first at the Paralympics, and it has already made a lasting impact on the country’s sporting history.
In the same event, fellow Indian para-badminton player Manisha Ramdas also made her mark by winning the bronze medal. After being defeated by Murugesan in the semi-finals, Ramdas bounced back strongly in the bronze medal match against Denmark’s Catherine Rosengren. She dominated the court, winning in straight sets 21-12 and 21-8. With this victory, Ramdas became the second Indian woman to win a medal in badminton at the Paralympics, adding another feather to India’s cap.
India’s medal count at the Paris Paralympics now stands at 11, comprising 2 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze medals. The country’s first gold of the Games was secured by shooter Avani Lekhara in the 10m air rifle SH1 category. The second gold came from para-badminton player Nitesh Kumar, who triumphed in the Men’s Singles Badminton SL3 category, further highlighting India’s prowess in the sport.
As India continues its journey in the Paris Paralympics 2024, the athletes’ exceptional performances have already surpassed expectations, igniting hope for more victories and medals in the coming days.
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