State shuttlers shine at 1st para-nationals

Shuttlers from Maharashtra made the state proud by bagging six medals including three of golden hue in the 1st National Para-badminton Championship held in Bangalore.

The team finished the threeday competition from March 23-25 with three gold, two silver and one bronze medals in all.

The gold medals were bagged by seasoned Mark Dharmai of Mumbai in men’s singles in SS6 (short stature) category, Prem Kumar Ale of Pune in men’s singles WH1 (wheel chair 1) category and Prem Kumar and Suresh Kumar Karki of Pune in men’s doubles in WH1 category.

Sukant Kadam in men’s singles in SL3 category and Karki in men’s singles in WH1 category claimed the silver medals while Kadam won the bronze in SL3 doubles category.

Prem Kumar Ale was the best performer for the team as he won two gold medals in men’s singles title in WH1 sport class in which both lower limbs and trunk func tion. He first defeated statemate Suresh Karki in singles final and later partnered Karki to beat Abbu and Sushant from Bihar to bag the doubles gold.

KADAM LOSES IN FINAL

In SL 3 sports class, in which par ticipant could have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking/running balance and thus play standing, Kadam lost in the final to Tarun Dhillon of Punjab. He and his partner Vikram, from Jharkhand, lost to Pramod Bhagat and Amrender of Orissa in the doubles semifi nal and had to be satisfied with a bronze medal.

In the SS6 class, in which par ticipants have a short stature due to a genetic condition often referred to as “dwarfism”, Dhar mai defeated KG Prabhu of Kar nataka in the final to bag men’s singles gold. The first nationa para-badminton event con ducted by Indian Para-badmin ton Commission in association with Badminton Association of India assumes importance as the sport will make its debut at the