"We will try to bring 10 medals for the country" - Coach Gaurav Khanna is buoyant about India's chances in badminton at Paralympics 2024
Paralympics 2024 would see 84 Indian athletes participate across 12 different sports. This is the biggest contingent India has ever sent to the quadrennial games. 13 out of those 84 athletes would be competing in badminton.
In the last edition at Tokyo, seven para-shuttlers had represented the country. Four of them finished on the podium, while Tarun Dhillon finished fourth, just outside the medal zone. This year, with the participation almost doubled, the expectations have also increased.
National head coach Gaurav Khanna is particularly buoyant about India's chances in badminton. Khanna is often regarded as one of the key men behind the rise of para-badminton in the country. In a recent interview with All India Radio, he stated that getting 10 medals from badminton alone is a tangible possibility - a target that Khanna had publically earmarked a couple of years ago as well.
"This time we have a team of 13 players. The target is to triple last time’s number," said Khanna. "Which means we want to go from 4 medals to 12. At the least, we will try to bring 10 medals for the country."
The four para-shuttlers who won medals at Tokyo were Pramod Bhagat, Krishna Nagar, Suhas Yathiraj, and Manoj Sarkar. While Bhagat would not be able to participate in the Paralympics this year, the other three are a part of the contingent heading to Paris. Apart from these three, Tarun Dhillon and Palak Kohli, who competed at Tokyo too, would also be seen in action.
"Last time we had a team of 7 players, this time we have a team of 13. So obviously, we have new faces. But these guys have trained hard. They have been doing well at the international level for a long time," said Khanna. "Our medals tally at the World Championship and at the Asian Games prove that that these new faces have now gained the experience."
At the Para-Asian Games held in Hangzhou last year, India secured a total of 21 medals in badminton. This included 4 gold, 4 silver, and 13 bronze medals. Khanna is confident that the athletes can translate it into Paralympic success as well.
"They are strong contenders (for medals at the Paralympics) and all they need is the best wishes and blessings of the nation," added Khanna. "Surely, they would achieve success."
Who are the new faces set to compete in badminton at Paralympics 2024?
Among the new faces set to compete in badminton at the Paralympics this year are two mixed double pairs. Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan will team up to compete in the SL3-SU5 category. The pair won a bronze medal in the same class at the Para-Asian Games in Hangzhou.
India would also be represented in the mixed doubles SH6 competition - an event that is making its debut at the Paralympics this year. The duo of Nithya Sre Sivan and Sivarajan Solaimalai would be participating in it. Apart from these, the pair of Suhas Yathiraj and Palak Kohli would also compete in mixed doubles.
All six of these players would compete in their respective single's competitions as well. Other new faces include Para-Asian Games bronze medalist Sukanth Kadam, who would compete in the men's singles SL4 category.
Among women, teenager Manisha Ramadass - who won a gold medal in the SU5 competition at the 2022 BWF Para-Badminton World Championship held in Tokyo - is set to make her Paralympics debut. Meanwhile, Manasi Joshi and Mandeep Kaur - both of whom won a bronze at Hangzhou - are set to compete in the women's singles SL3 category.