Triumph Over Adversity: Para-Badminton Star Kumar Nitesh honored with Arjuna Award
Kumar Nitesh,the inspiring para-shuttler who clinched gold at the Paris Paralympics,is brimming with gratitude and excitement after being selected for the prestigious Arjuna Award. This recognition fuels his determination to strive for the nation’s highest sporting honor, the Khel Ratna, in the near future.
Nitesh’s journey is a testament to resilience and unwavering spirit. In 2009, a train accident resulted in the amputation of his left leg. Undeterred, he not only overcame this adversity but also excelled academically, graduating from IIT Mandi. His crowning achievement came in September last year when he defeated Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in a thrilling men’s singles SL3 badminton final at the Paris Paralympics, securing India’s frist gold in the category.
“Receiving the Arjuna Award is an immense honor, akin to the second-highest sporting accolade in India,” Nitesh shared with PTI. “It’s a notable recognition of an athlete’s accomplishments.”
The Arjuna Award comes with a cash prize of ₹15 lakh, a citation, and a statuette of Arjuna, the legendary archer from Indian mythology.This year,32 athletes,including a record-breaking 17 para-athletes,have been chosen for the award. Four individuals,including Paralympic gold medalist Praveen Kumar,will be honored with the Khel Ratna,India’s highest sporting award.President Droupadi Murmu will present these prestigious awards on January 17th at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Reflecting on his journey, Nitesh expressed his elation, stating, “I’ve dedicated the past eight to nine years to international badminton, earning numerous medals along the way. Winning the Paralympic gold in Paris was the pinnacle of my career, and now being nominated for the Arjuna Award feels like the perfect culmination.”
While Nitesh celebrates his achievement, some para-athletes, like Paris gold medalist archer Harvinder Singh, have voiced their disappointment at not being considered for the Khel Ratna. This sentiment stems from previous instances where Tokyo Paralympics gold medalists,including shuttlers Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar,shooters Manish Narwal and Avani Lekhara,and javelin thrower Sumit Antil,were bestowed with the Khel Ratna.
Despite the disappointment expressed by some, Nitesh remains focused on his goals. When asked if he anticipated a Khel Ratna nomination following his Paris triumph, he responded with unwavering determination, ready to continue his pursuit of excellence.
A Paralympic Champion’s Outlook on India’s Highest Sporting Honors
Kumar Nitesh, the celebrated Paralympic badminton champion, recently shared his thoughts on India’s prestigious sporting awards, the Arjuna and Khel Ratna. While acknowledging the buzz surrounding automatic Khel Ratna nominations for Tokyo 2021 gold medalists, Nitesh emphasized his focus on personal achievement rather than entitlement.
“I never aimed to differentiate between the Arjuna and Khel Ratna awards,” he stated.”I wasn’t disappointed about not being nominated for the Khel ratna this year. For me, receiving the Arjuna award was a significant milestone, and now my sights are set on the Khel Ratna. I’m determined to earn more accolades for my country, which will hopefully lead to a Khel Ratna nomination in the future.”
Nitesh’s journey to Paralympic glory, which includes a gold, silver, and bronze medal haul at the Hangzhou Asian Games, has been marked by dedication and perseverance. Though, he expressed surprise upon learning about the self-nomination process for these prestigious awards.
“Previously,athletes relied on nominations from their respective federations or past awardees,” he explained. “In Olympic and Paralympic years, medalists were automatically considered for the Arjuna award by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This year, I was unaware of the self-nomination requirement.I assumed my achievements would be directly considered.”
Nitesh’s experience highlights a shift in the nomination process for India’s highest sporting honors. This change, while aimed at increasing athlete participation, has also introduced a new layer of responsibility for athletes to actively pursue recognition for their accomplishments.
Kumar Nitesh Sets Sights on New Heights After Paralympic triumph
fresh off his gold medal victory at the Paris Paralympics, badminton champion Kumar Nitesh is already looking ahead to new challenges. The experience of applying for the prestigious Paralympic awards was a novel one for him, but the recognition has fueled his determination for the upcoming season.
“My focus is now firmly on the Asian Championship in Thailand this June,” Nitesh declared. Having secured gold at the Asian Games and silver in singles, he’s aiming for a clean sweep, targeting gold in both singles and mixed doubles.
Nitesh’s confidence stems from his current world number one ranking and consistent performance.He acknowledges the upcoming World Championship in February 2024, but remains unfazed by the qualification process. His extraordinary track record, which includes two silver and a bronze medal at previous World Championships, speaks volumes about his capabilities.
Following the intensity of the Paris Paralympics, Nitesh took a well-deserved break. “The past two years have been incredibly demanding,” he admitted. “Maintaining my mental fortitude and composure throughout the Games was crucial to my success. Winning gold was a significant achievement and a major confidence boost.”
However, Nitesh recognizes there’s always room for improvement. He’s eager to refine his technique and address any weaknesses in his game. While he hasn’t yet returned to on-court training, he’s mentally prepared to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
A Golden Spirit: Para-Badminton’s Kumar Nitesh Shines Radiant
Kumar Nitesh’s story is one of triumph over adversity, embodying the indomitable spirit of an athlete determined to reach the pinnacles of success. Nitesh, a Paralympic gold medalist in badminton, recently received the prestigious Arjuna Award, a recognition that validates his relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of significant challenges.
nitesh’s journey began amidst hardship.A train accident in 2009 resulted in the amputation of his left leg. However, he refused to let this setback define him. He not only bounced back physically but also excelled academically, graduating from IIT Mandi.His unwavering dedication culminated in his crowning glory at the Paris Paralympics, were he defeated Grate Britain’s Daniel Bethell, securing India’s first-ever gold in the men’s singles SL3 category.
The Arjuna Award, the second-highest sporting honor in India, recognizes Nitesh’s remarkable journey. he humbly acknowledges this honour, viewing it as a culmination of years of dedication and hard-fought victories.
The Arjuna comes with a cash prize of ₹15 lakh, a citation, and a statuette of Arjuna, the legendary archer from Indian mythology. This year, 32 athletes, including a record-breaking 17 para-athletes, were bestowed with this prestigious accolade.Four individuals will be honored with the Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting award, including Paralympic gold medalist Praveen Kumar. President Droupadi Murmu will present these awards on January 17th at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
While celebrating his own achievement,Nitesh acknowledges the ongoing debate surrounding the Khel Ratna nominations. Some Paralympic athletes, like archer Harvinder Singh, have expressed disappointment at not being considered for the highest honor, pointing to previous instances where several Tokyo Paralympic gold medalists were awarded the Khel Ratna.
Nitesh, however, remains focused on his personal goals, stating that he never enters a competition with the expectation of a particular award.He believes in letting his performance speak for itself, stating that his determination to continue striving for excellence remains unwavering.
Nitesh’s journey and outlook serve as a powerful inspiration, reminding us that overcoming adversity can lead to unusual achievements. His story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to soar high, even in the face of insurmountable odds. As he continues to chase his dreams, Nitesh undoubtedly inspires millions within India and beyond.
