Tokyo: It came so close, nevertheless Noida DM, Suhas Yathiraj has done the country proud by bagging a silver in badminton at the Tokyo Paralympics on Sunday. But shuttler Krishna Nagar bagged India’s 5th Gold at the ongoing games. The Tokyo Paralympics had Team India bagging the maximum number of medals (19) in the history of the event.
Yathiraj lost to France’s Lucas Mazur in the men’s singles SL 4. Lucas romped home by 15-21, 21-17 and 21-15.
Congratulatory messages have been pouring in for both Nagar and Yathiraj. “No limits to our happiness today! The entire country is proud of his achievement,” Sunil Nagar, father of Nagar said to ANI.
Congratulating Nagar, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, “Historic performance by Krishan Nagar. Strong and determined, you proved your mettle by winning the gold medal in badminton at #Paralympics and keeping the tricolour high. Your excellence is commendable. Many Indians will be inspired by you. Congratulations and best wishes.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while hailing the shuttlers wrote on Twitter, “Suhas Yathiraj has captured the imagination of our entire nation thanks to his exceptional sporting performance.” On Nagar, he added, “The outstanding feat of @Krishnanagar99 has brought smiles on the faces of every Indian. Congratulations to him for winning the Gold Medal. Wishing him the very best for his endeavours ahead.”
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to him. On earlier occasions also he won many medals. Along with efficiently discharging his administrative duties, he has been successful in Paralympics,” UP CM Yogi Adityanath told ANI.
Yathiraj’s wife Ritu Suhas and ADM, Ghaziabad added, “It was a very well played match. I am very proud of him. It is the pinnacle of hard work of the last six years.”
