Suhas Yathiraj, a silver medalist from Tokyo Games, is set to become the first Indian shuttler to win back-to-back medals at the Paralympics after outplaying compatriot Sukant Kadam in straight games to reach the men's singles SL4 final in Paris on Sunday.
The 41-year-old Suhas, a 2007 batch IAS officer, beat Sukant 21-17, 21-12 to make yet another final at the global showpiece.
Suhas, who served as the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar during the COVID-19 pandemic and was also the DM of Prayagraj, delivered a commanding performance to book his place in the final.
He will now face France's Lucas Mazur, aiming to settle the score after losing to him in the Tokyo Paralympics final three years ago.
"I still can't believe (back-to-back finals). I thank God. I tried my best and didn't let pressure get to me," Suhas said.
Talking about Mazur, Suhas, who never let his ankle impairment hinder his passion for badminton, said: "We know each other very well. I defeated him in World championships this year and he would want to take revenge.
"I lost to him in Tokyo but fortunately I have won Asian Para Games gold, became world no 1. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. I will just go out there and enjoy myself."
Sukant will next play for the bronze medal.
A computer engineer-turned-IAS officer, Suhas has never let his ankle impairment hinder his passion for badminton.
Currently posted as the Secretary and Director-General of Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal under the Uttar Pradesh government, Suhas's journey from administration to the badminton court is all about his remarkable perseverance.
With his victory, Suhas joins Nitesh Kumar (SL3) in keeping India's hopes of a gold medal alive at the Paris Paralympics.
Manisha vs Thulasimathi to decide India's medal colour
Earlier, India were assured of a second medal in badminton with Manisha Ramadass setting up a women's singles SU5 semifinals duel with compatriot Thulasimathi Murugesan at the Paris Paralympics in Paris on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Manisha, who was born with Erb's palsy which affected her right arm, had no trouble in dispatching Japan's Mamiko Toyoda 21-13, 21-16 in the quarter-final.
Erb's palsy is a nerve disorder in the shoulder and arm that results in weakness or loss of muscle function.
The second seeded Indian left-hander needed 30 minutes to down her unseeded rival.
In the last four, Manisha will meet top seed Thulasimathi, who had defeated Portugal's Beatriz Monteiro in group A on Saturday.
In SU5 category, the players have impairment of the upper limbs. The impairment could be on the playing or non-playing hand.
India's medal hopes were further bolstered by Nithya Sivan Sumathy, who advanced to the women's singles SH6 semi-finals with a 21-4, 21-7 victory over Poland's Oliwia Szmigiel. Nithya will face China's Lin Shuangbao in the semi-finals, a tough opponent who holds a 4-0 record against the Indian, including a win in the group stages.
However, Mandeep Kaur and Palak Kohli were eliminated following contrasting defeats in their respective quarterfinals here on Sunday.
Competing in SL3 category, Mandeep hardly posed a challenge to Nigeria's third seed Bolaji Mariam Eniola, losing the contest 8-21 9-21 in 23 minutes.
It was the second consecutive defeat for Mandeep against Eniola, having lost to the Nigerian in the group stage as well.
In SL4 category, para world championship bronze medallist Palak went down fighting 19-21 15-21 to Indonesia's Khalimatus Sadiyah in 28 minutes.
SL4 is a class for athletes competing while standing with less severe impairment than in SL3.