Aruna suffered a massive injury but got back up to fight, not willing to lose without giving her everything
Paralympics 2024 have started on August 29 and India has got off to a rocky start. While the contingent has won the initial rounds of few events, a few other witnessed some of the Indian athletes getting pushed to the edge and almost on the verge of an early exit. The first day witnessed archery and badminton stars shine but athletes in other events faltered.
The day started with an all Indian affair as the pairs of Murugesan-K. Nitesh and S. LalinakereYathiraj-P. Kohli clashed against each other in the badminton Mixed doubles SL/SU group stage. The first match went in the favour of Nitesh Kumar and ThulasimathiMurugesanwith scores of 21-14, 21-17. While the winners have found a cushion, it is crucial for the duo of S. LalinakereYathiraj-P. Kohli is to win the next two matches if they wish to proceed to the quarterfinal round.
🚨 Para Badminton Results Alert! 🚨
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) August 29, 2024
Nitesh Kumar & Thulasimathi Murugesan start strong, defeating fellow Indians Suhas Yathiraj & Palak Kohli in their opening group match.
A commanding straight-games victory (21-14, 21-17) sets the tone for their campaign.#Paralympics pic.twitter.com/uFyBEmV8gi
In the badminton mixed doubles SH6 category group stage, the duo of S. Solaimalai-N.S. Sivan went against the American pair of J. Simon-M. Krajewski and suffered a heavy defeat. The Indian pair lost by scores of 23-21 and must win their next match against the badminton pair from Thailand.
The badminton women's singles SL3 saw both Indian athletes lose their first respective games. Former world no. 1 Manashi Joshi lost against Indonesia's Syakuroh, with scores of 21-16, 13-21, and 18-21 going in Syakuroh's favour. On the other hand, Mandeep Kaur also lost to Nigeria's Mariam Bolaji. Mandeep must win her next match against Australia's Celine, and Manashi must win her next game at any cost to ensure her survival in the tourney.
Paralympics 2024: Manasi Joshi goes down in Badminton - Group Stage - SL3.#Paralympics #Paris2024 #SKIndianSports #Badminton pic.twitter.com/ZiMAqYtovx
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 29, 2024
Aruna Singh Tanwar faced NurcihanEkinci in the Taekwondo 47kg K44 category but lost by 19-0 points. However, Tanwar suffered a grievous injury but did not give up and fought until the end. Her journey seems over, but she still has a chance if she can overcome her injury and get a shot at a repechage round.
Aruna Tanwar lost to Nurcihan 🇹🇷 in Round of 16
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) August 29, 2024
She injured her one leg badly in the initial few mins of game and and fought till the end limping on one leg
BRILLIANT EFFORTS & GRIT SHOW BY HER 🫡 pic.twitter.com/KoRyXea0Qg
Three Indian athletes simultaneously took the stage against their opponents in the men's badminton singles SL4 category. SukantKadam showcased a dream Paralympics debut by defeating Malaysian 4th seed Burhanuddin. On the other hand, reigning world champion SuhasYathiraj had a comfortable win against RamdaniHikmat. In Group D, TarunDhillon also started his campaign with a win against Brazil's Oliviera.
"What an incredible start at the Paris Paralympics 2024! I’m thrilled to have won my first match, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my amazing team, coaches, and all of you cheering me on. This victory is for all of us! But the journey doesn’t stop here—there’s… pic.twitter.com/Z5Hy4QUBsy
— Sukant Kadam (@sukant9993) August 29, 2024
Cyclist JyotiGaderiya failed to reach the women's C1-3 3000m individual pursuit. Finishing at the bottom in the 10-athlete group with a timing 4:53.929, Gaderiya needed a top-four finish to remain in medal contention. She is the first Indian athlete in the ongoing tourney to crash out of the tournament on day one.
Historic 🙌🏻💪🏻
— Navin Mittal (@Navinsports) August 29, 2024
Jyoti Gaderiya becomes 1st ever 🇮🇳 Para Cyclist to Compete in Paralympics!
She finished in her heat behind Columbian Florez in Women's C1- 3000 m Individual pursuit qualifying with timings of 4:53:929 but unfortunately won't be enough for a medal match !… https://t.co/OmSP39Ur3a pic.twitter.com/vqsKKQLJtD
The badminton men's singles SL3 event is also an all-Indian affair, with Manoj Sarkar taking on Nitesh Kumar. Kumar stunned 2020 bronze medallist Sarkar with 21-13, 18-21 and 21-18 going in his favour.
In a high octane all-India clash, Nitesh Kumar beats India's Tokyo Paralympic medallist Manoj Sarkar!🇮🇳
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 29, 2024
Scores: 21-13, 18-21, 21-18#Badminton #SKIndianSports #Paralympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/5nwAiz5CB6
In the badminton Women's singles SL4, Palak Kohli etched a convincing victory in Group C. Against France's Milena Surreau, Palak won with 21-12 and 21-14 sets, not allowing the game to proceed to the third round. With the win, Palak should qualify for the next round.
In the badminton women's singles SU5 category, T. Murugesan faced R. De Marco from Italy. Murugesan dominated the first round with 21 points to Marco’s nine. Even the second round went in the Indian’s favour with 21 points to the Italian’s 11.
In the women’s compound ranking round, Sheetal Devi finished second with a personal best of 703 points and proceeded to the next round. Final event of the day involving an Indian participate, the men’s recurve ranking round witnessed Harvinder Singh finishing in theninth position with 637 points, qualifying for the next round. The mixed team recurve finished in the seventh spot with 637 points.
Paralympic athlete Pooja finished in the eighth position in the women’s recurve whereas in the mixed recurve, she along with Harvinder grabbed the fifth position. Men’s compound event ended with Rakesh Kumar grabbing the third sport and in the mixed compound event, the duo of S Devi and Kumar topped the table.
In the badminton women’s singles SU5 category, ManishaRamadass showcased a brilliant comeback of 21-6 after losing the first round by 8-21 to Maud Lefort of France. In the deciding game, Ramadass won with scoreline of 21 to 19.
The badminton women's singles SH6 witnessed NithyaSreSivan taking on the United States’ Jayci Simon. Nithya also dazzled the audience with her badminton skill, winning both rounds in a dominant manner.
Know Your Para Athlete 38
— Aniket Mohanty (@Aniketm90942912) August 20, 2024
Nithya Sre Sivan
WS SH6
World Championship 🥉🥉
Asian Para Games 🥉🥉
Youngster Nithya is looking for a decent performance in this Paralympics
All the best Nithya pic.twitter.com/z4B6edslyW
SivarajanSolaimalai battled against Indonesia’s SubhanSubhan but unfortunately, lost both the rounds with sets of 21-15 and 21-17 in the Indonesian’s favour.
Day one saw India perform brilliantly in badminton and archery but athletes in other events had a rocky start, hoping to pick up the momentum on day two.