India’s para shuttler Sukant Kadam. (Picture Credit: X)
India’s Sukant Kadam suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan on Monday to miss out on a chance to win a bronze medal in the men’s singles badminton SL4 category.
Sukant Kadam of India suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Fredy Setiawan of Indonesia in the bronze medal match of the men’s singles badminton (SL4 category) competition at the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024 on Monday (September 2).
The 31-year-old from Maharashtra, who suffered a defeat in the semifinal match on Sunday against countryman Suhas Yathiraj, lost the match against the Tokyo Paralympics bronze medallist in straight sets (17-21, 18-21).
Earlier in the gold medal match, Suhas Yathiraj suffered defeat in straight games to favourite Lucas Mazur of France to secure his second successive Paralympics silver medal in men’s singles SL4.
The 41-year-old Suhas, a 2007 batch IAS officer, looked tentative and was no match for the formidable French, losing 9-21, 13-21 in a lop-sided summit clash.
The loss meant Lucas once again denied Suhas the glory, having beaten him in the Tokyo Paralympics final three years ago.
Born with a congenital deformity in his left ankle, which significantly affected his mobility, Suhas plays in SL4 category which is meant for athletes competing while standing with less severe impairment than in SL3.
His silver took India’s medal tally in Paris Paralympics para-badminton to four, following the gold won by Kumar Nitesh (SL3) and silver and bronze claimed by Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manisha Ramadass in women’s singles SU5.
(With inputs from agencies)