Nitesh Kumar
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A brief biography
As in 2024 Aug
Sabi Hussain, Sep 3, 2024: The Times of India
Like his father, a Navy officer, Nitesh Kumar aspired to serve the nation by joining the defence forces. However, a cruel turn of events –an unfortunate train accident in Visakhapatnam during a college trip in 2009 which left his left leg damaged – cut short his dreams and pushed him to the depths of despair.
He was bed-ridden for months and needed prosthetics on his left foot. A budding footballer, Nitesh was 15 then. His sporting career seemed over, so he shifted his focus to studies and started preparing for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance examinations.
He secured admission in IIT Mandi in 2013 and worked hard to become an electrical engineer. Sports was off his mind due to his disability but a chance meeting with world champion para shuttler Pramod Bhagat gave Nitesh a fresh perspective in life. Bhagat apparently told Nitesh to take up para badminton in SL3 class, a category reserved for players with severe lower limb disabilities, which requires them to play on a half-width court.
Inspired by the pep talk, Nitesh enrolled himself at the institute’s badminton academy and developed a keen interest in the shuttle game. Over the years, the 29-yearold six-footer excelled in international tournaments and multisport events. He experienced the ultimate glory in Paris on Monday afternoon when he secured the country’s second gold medal at the ongoing Paralympic Games. He defeated old nemesis, Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell, 2-1 in a thrilling final in the men’s singles SL3 class, which lasted an hour and 20 minutes at the La Chapelle Arena Court 1.
Nitesh, who hails from Bas Kirtan in Rajasthan but is now settled in Charkhi Dadri village in Haryana, prevailed over his opponent 21-14, 18-21, 23-21 in a see-saw battle. He displayed incredible resilience and brilliant tactical acumen. This was Nitesh’s first win over Bethell in 10 meetings. Nitesh’s victory ensured that India retained the SL3 gold won by Bhagat three years ago when para badminton made its debut at the Tokyo Games.
“I really can’t express it (feelings) because I can’t feel anything, I am numb. I am looking at the crowd and I can feel that I have done something huge. I am extremely happy with my effort,” Nitesh said after the win.
Nitesh could have won the final in straight games, but the Brit took the contest to a decider. In the final game, the two para shuttlers matched each other point-forpoint, moving from 8-8 to 19-19. Nitesh was the first to get to the championship point at 20-19 but couldn’t convert it. Bethell, too, had a match point at 21-20 but faltered at the net. Finally, Nitesh persisted with his attacking tactics and prevailed when the Brit’s return went long and wide. “Even before stepping onto the court, I knew it was going to be a mental game. It worked for me in the first set. In the second game, I was leading but somewhere in between I lost my focus, got too eager to get points. That is when he made some amazing points. “The third game was very close. I got some good points; he got some good points. In the end, I knew it was going to be fought in the mind. I kept my calm,” Nitesh said.
KNOW NITESH KUMAR
● Is an electrical engineer from Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi.
● Grew an interest in competitive badminton in 2013. Competes in the men’s singles SL3 class.
● At 15, a train accident in Vizag resulted in the amputation of his left leg.
● Listens to music, loves driving and watching sports.
● Winner of 2022 Asian Para Games doubles gold in Hangzhou, China.
● Is a Virat Kohli fan.
