Indian para-badminton stars Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manisha Ramadass etched their names in history at the Tokyo Paralympics, securing a silver and bronze medal respectively in the women’s singles SU5 category.
Thulasimathi, the top seed, displayed immense determination in the final against defending champion Yang Qiuxia of China. Despite a valiant effort, she succumbed to a 17-21, 10-21 defeat. However, her performance was a testament to her skill and resilience.
Meanwhile, second seed Manisha Ramadass showcased her dominance on the adjacent court, outplaying Denmark’s Cathrine Rosengren, the third seed, with a commanding 21-12, 21-8 victory. Her bronze medal marked a significant achievement for India in the sport.
The SU5 category caters to athletes with impairments in the upper limbs, affecting either the playing or non-playing hand. These medals add to India’s first-ever badminton gold at the Paralympics, won by Nitesh Kumar in the SL3 category.
Thulasimathi and Manisha’s success is a testament to their unwavering spirit and the growing strength of para-badminton in India. Their performances have not only brought glory to the nation but also inspired countless individuals with disabilities to pursue their dreams in sports.
