Para shuttler Yathiraj and Sarkar get quota for Tokyo Paralympics

Para badminton will make its debut in next month’s Tokyo Paralympics and India will send a seven-member strong team to participate in these games. The World Badminton Federation has awarded two bipartite quotas to India, taking the number of Indian players to seven participating in these games.

Suhas L. Yathiraj has been awarded quota in Men’s Singles SL4 category and Sarkar in Men’s Singles SL3 category. The Indian badminton team is led by world number one Pramod Bhagat. Bhagat will enter the SL3 category while Tarun Dhillon will contest in the SL4 category.
Chief National Coach Gaurav Khanna said, Indian Para Shuttlers are performing brilliantly in International events and now it is time for them to make their mark in Paralympics. With one more player each in the Men’s SL3 and Men’s SL4 categories, our medal chances increase. We hope to win gold and silver in both the categories.
Yathiraj, posted as District Magistrate in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, is confident of winning a medal in the Paralympics. Yathiraj, who won a bronze medal in the Asian Para Games, said, being the District Magistrate in Noida, it was a very challenging time during the pandemic. But I never let this affect my training and kept my focus completely. I am sure of winning a medal in Tokyo.

On the other hand, the government said, qualifying for the Paralympics is a dream come true especially considering that this sport is going to make its debut in the Paralympics. I have high expectations and I will try my best to live up to the expectations. My goal is to get a medal. I will go with the intention of winning gold.