IIT-Mandi’s Nitesh Kumar becomes first IITian to win Paralympics gold for India, read his tragedy-to-triumph story

MANDI: In a historic achievement, Nitesh Kumar, a BTech graduate in Electrical Engineering from IIT-Mandi (2014-2018), has become the first IIT-graduate to win a Paralympic gold medal for India.

Nitesh clinched the gold in the Men’s Singles SL3 category at the ongoing Paris Games, defeating Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell 2-1 in a thrilling final at La Chapelle Arena Court 1 on Monday.

Remarkable journey to the top

Nitesh’s journey to the pinnacle of para-badminton is a testament to his resilience and determination. Born in Rajasthan and now residing in Haryana, Nitesh lost his leg in a train accident in 2009, which left him bedridden for months. Despite this setback, he found a new purpose and passion in para-badminton during his time at IIT-Mandi.

Inspired by para-shuttler Pramod Bhagat, Nitesh began training rigorously and soon started competing at the national and international levels. His competitive journey began in 2016 when he won a bronze medal at the nationals in Faridabad. The following year, he made his international debut by winning gold at the FZ-Forza Irish Para-Badminton International in Dublin, Ireland.

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From tragedy to triumph

Nitesh’s rise in para-badminton has been nothing short of phenomenal. By 2019, he had amassed a total of 13 medals across various international para-badminton tournaments, including gold, silver and bronze medals. His crowning moment came in 2020 when he secured the gold medal at the National Championship by defeating Tokyo Paralympic medalists Pramod Bhagat and Manoj Sarkar.

At the BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2022, Nitesh continued his impressive run, winning a silver medal after defeating his idol Bhagat. He also secured three medals at last year’s Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, including a gold in men’s doubles, silver in singles, and a bronze in mixed doubles.

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Historic victory in Paris

Nitesh’s historic gold medal win at the Paris Games marks a significant milestone in his career and for Indian para-sports. In the intense final match, Nitesh battled hard for an hour and 20 minutes against Daniel Bethell. He won the first game 21-14, lost the second 18-21, but emerged victorious in the final game, clinching the gold medal on his debut at the Games.

This victory was also Nitesh’s first win over Bethell in 10 meetings, showcasing his growth and perseverance in the sport. His success is a tribute to his determination and the support of his coaches, including SN Jha.

Achievements and recognition

Nitesh’s achievements extend beyond the Paralympics. He has won multiple medals at various international competitions, including the Asian Para Games and World Championships. Some of his notable achievements are:

• Asian Para Games 2022: Gold Medal in Men’s Doubles (MD), Silver Medal in Men’s Singles (MS), Bronze Medal in Mixed Doubles (XD)
• Asian Para Games 2018: Bronze Medal in Men’s Doubles (MD)
• World Championship 2024: Bronze Medal in Men’s Singles (MS)
• World Championship 2022: Silver Medal in Men’s Singles (MS)
• World Championship 2019: Silver Medal in Men’s Doubles (MD)