Indian para shuttler Suhas Yathiraj, who has been on a remarkable journey in the world of para-badminton, achieved a new career milestone on June 25, displacing French legend Lucas Mazur in the latest BWF Para-Badminton World Rankings.
“Finally World Number 1. Happy to share that, In the latest Badminton World Federation Para Badminton rankings announced today for Men’s Singles category, I have got world number 1 ranking, first time in life, replacing previously long standing world number 1 Lucas Mazur of France.Thanks a lot for your blessings and wishes,” wrote Suhas on ‘X’.
Finally World Number 1.
Happy to share that, In the latest Badminton World Federation Para Badminton rankings announced today for Men’s Singles category, I have got world number 1 ranking, first time in life, replacing previously long standing world number 1 Lucas Mazur of… pic.twitter.com/kEyGVHzKqW— Suhas L Yathiraj (@suhas_ly) June 25, 2024
The 40-year-old Arjuna awardee secured the silver medal in the SL-4 category at the Tokyo Paralympics, finishing second to Mazur. Suhas accumulated 60,527 points, while Mazur could assemble 58953.
An IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, Suhas has deftly balanced his administrative duties with his sporting career. Earlier this year, he clinched the World Championship title by defeating Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan, further solidifying his position as a top contender in para-badminton.
The SL-4 category in para badminton, where Suhas Yathiraj has made his mark, is for players with movement affected at a low level on one side of the body, in both legs, or the minor absence of one limb.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also serves as the President of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), congratulated Suhas on his significant achievement. “Congratulations @suhas_ly on achieving Rank 1 in Men’s Singles of SL4 Para Badminton. We have witnessed your passion for the sport and how deftly you have managed administrative functions and badminton together. Good luck for your future endeavors, we are proud of you,” Sarma posted on ‘X’.
Meanwhile, there are three more Indian para-shuttlers in the top 10 of the SL4 category, with Sukant Kadam at five, Tarun at six and Naveen Sivakumar at eight.
In the Standing Lower 3 (SL3) category, Nitesh Kumar rose to the top of the world rankings, going past Daniel Bethell of Great Britain.
