NEW DELHI, Jan 5:
In a time of dissatisfaction among some Paralympic athletes regarding the recent national honors, para-shuttler Kumar Nitesh feels both thankful and ecstatic after being selected for the prestigious Arjuna Award, with aspirations to work even harder towards the Khel Ratna in the near future.
The 30-year-old from Haryana lost his left leg in a train accident in 2009 but overcame his challenges to graduate from IIT Mandi and secured a historic gold medal in Paralympic badminton in Paris, triumphing over Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in a thrilling men’s singles SL3 final last September.
“This is a monumental accomplishment. It’s India’s second-highest sports award, and it serves as excellent recognition for an athlete’s achievements,” Nitesh stated in an interview with PTI.
Recipients of the Arjuna Award receive ₹15 lakh in cash, a citation, and a statuette of Arjuna, the legendary archer from Indian mythology.
This year, 32 athletes have been selected, including a record 17 para-athletes, alongside four nominees for the Khel Ratna, India’s highest sports honor. President Droupadi Murmu is set to present the awards on January 17 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“I’m extremely happy because I’ve been competing in international badminton for eight to nine years and have accrued multiple medals. The ultimate achievement came at the Paris Paralympics, and being nominated for the Arjuna Award feels like the cherry on top,” Nitesh said.
Some para-athletes, including Paris gold-medalist archer Harvinder Singh, have voiced their disappointment about not being nominated for the Khel Ratna, which will be awarded to shooter Manu Bhaker, men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, chess world champion D. Gukesh, and Paralympic gold-medalist high-jumper Praveen Kumar.
This discontent arises partly from precedent, as gold medalists from the Tokyo Paralympics—shuttlers Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar, shooters Manish Narwal and Avani Lekhara, and javelin thrower Sumit Antil—received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna.
When asked if he had hoped for a Khel Ratna nomination due to his success in Paris, Nitesh remarked, “After gold-winning athletes from Tokyo 2021 were nominated for the Khel Ratna award, there was some chatter among athletes this year about gold medallists being favored for the Khel Ratna. However, I chose not to distinguish between the Arjuna and the Khel Ratna. I have no disappointment about not being nominated for the Khel Ratna.”
“For me, securing the Arjuna Award was my primary focus, and now my sights are on the Khel Ratna. I’m determined to work harder and earn accolades for my country, which I hope will lead to a future nomination for the Khel Ratna,” he continued.
Nevertheless, Nitesh, who captured a gold, silver, and bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games, found it surprising that athletes could self-nominate for the award.
“In the past, federations and former Arjuna or Khel Ratna recipients nominated athletes for these honors, and candidates didn’t apply individually. In Olympic and Paralympic years, the ministry would directly consider medallists for the Arjuna Award,” noted the Rajasthan native.
“This year, I wasn’t even aware that I needed to apply for the Arjuna or Khel Ratna awards. I assumed that consideration would be automatic since it’s an Olympic year. This was a new experience for me—the need to apply for the awards.”
Now that he has received the recognition he deserves for his outstanding performance, Nitesh is focused on the upcoming season with renewed determination.
“I am eyeing the Asian Championship in June in Thailand. After winning the gold medal at the Asian Games and a silver in singles, my goal is to win gold in both, as well as in mixed doubles,” he outlined.
“The World Championship is likely happening in February next year, and there will be qualifications for that. However, as world number one and with the level of consistency I’m currently displaying, I don’t foresee any major hurdles in qualifying,” added the IIT Mandi alumnus, who previously secured two silvers and a bronze at world championships.
Nitesh has taken a break following the Paris Paralympics but has recently resumed training.
“I needed a break after two very demanding years. I’m pleased with my mental strength—I was able to maintain my composure and triumph (in Paris). That achievement significantly boosted my confidence.”
“There are still aspects I believe I need to refine. I have not yet begun specific court training to address my techniques and errors,” he concluded. (PTI)
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