August 11, 2019
The Thailand Para Badminton International 2019 is underway
and India has sent a 65-member contingent of players. This is a huge presence
and a sign of the growing popularity of para badminton in India. India is
making its presence felt at the Thailand Para Badminton International
2019, among the qualifying events for the 2020
Paralympics. For the first time, a 65-member contingent is taking
part, the largest India has ever sent.
The Thailand event is among the qualifying events of the Paralympics and
the strength of the Indian contingent shows how far we have come in para
badminton. There are many new players here for the first time, as well as
junior and senior level players. India’s databank of players is growing
and that is a matter of great pride. – Gaurav Khanna, Head Coach,
Indian Para badminton
Among the senior players at the Thailand event is Krishna
Nagar from Rajasthan. Krishna put up a superb performance at the
2nd Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International Championships
in April this year upsetting world number one Jack Shepherd
in the men’s singles SS6 semi finals and later world number two
Krysten Coombs from England. Remarkable for someone who
started playing badminton only in 2018.
Krishna won his first medal at the 2018 Thailand championship and hopes to
make his mark again. “We have been training quite intensively in Lucknow
for the Thailand event and looking ahead to the world championship. Apart
from stroke selection, we have been focusing on physical fitness too”.
Among the promising female players in the junior category in Thailand is
Palak Kohli who won three gold medals in her debut national
event this year and went on to make her mark in Uganda. “I won two
international medals at the Uganda Para Badminton International
Tournament 2019 in April – a gold medal in women’s doubles and a
silver in women’s singles. “My short-term goal is to qualify for
Paralympics 2020, and I have been undergoing a hectic schedule focusing on
training schedule, diet charts, morning and evening sessions, weight training
etc. For 2024 and further, its only GOLD in Olympics”.
With this kind of passion and commitment, Indian para shuttlers are sure to
keep shining.
