Inspired by Saina Nehwal's Olympic heroics, Manisha Ramadass goes on to win Paralympic bronze in Paris

It rained medals for the Indian contingent at the Paralympic Games in Paris on Monday with para-shuttlers alone accounting for five of the eight medals that were added to the nation’s overall tally.

Manisha Ramadass was among those who contributed to India’s biggest single-day medal haul at the Paralympics, winning bronze in the women’s singles SU5 category on Monday.

Paris Paralympics 2024:  News |  Medal Tally |  India Schedule

She had lost to Thulasimathi Murugesan in an all-Indian semi-final the previous day, fighting hard but ultimately suffering a narrow 21-23, 17-21 defeat.

While Thulasi lost her gold medal match against China’s Yang Qiuxia to collect silver the following day, Ramadass bounced back from her defeat to overpower Denmark’s Cathrine Rosengren 21-12, 21-8.

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The women’s singles SU5 podium in the Paris Paralympics thus had two athletes not just from the same country but also from the same state, with Thulasi and Manisha standing on either side of Yang.

Who is Manisha Ramadass?

Manisha's journey in sports commenced at the age of 11, driven by her passion for athletic endeavors. Despite being born with Erb’s Palsy, a condition she has had since birth, Manisha's determination propelled her into the world of para-badminton. Her introduction to the sport came through a recommendation from a friend of her previous coach, leading her to compete in her inaugural Para Badminton State Championship in 2019.

Inspired by the achievements of Saina Nehwal, Manisha's admiration for the badminton star fueled her own aspirations in the sport. However, her sporting interests extend beyond badminton, with a fondness for football and table tennis also evident.

Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manisha Ramadass stand on either side of China's Yang Qiuxia on the badminton women's singles SU5 podium in the Paris Paralympics. Reuters

Remarkably, in her debut year, Manisha ascended to the rank of World No. 1 in para-badminton, showcasing her remarkable talent and dedication. Her meteoric rise reached its zenith when she clinched the gold medal at the 2022 World Championships in Japan, solidifying her status as a world champion.

Manisha's stellar performances have been consistent on the international stage, winning medals across level 1 and level 2 competitions. Manisha also grabbed three bronze medals at the Asian Para Games 2022. It was her first appearance at the Asian Games. With her sights set on future goals, including securing a medal at the Paris Paralympics, Manisha continues to strive for excellence.

What are Manisha Ramadass’ achievements?

— Asian Para Games (2022) - Bronze Medal in WS, WD & XD

— World Championship (2024) – Silver Medal in WS

— World Championship (2022) - Gold Medal in WS

— World Championship (2022) - Bronze Medal in WD

— 4 Nations Para Badminton International (2024) - Silver Medal in WS

— Spanish Para Badminton International 2024 - I (2024) - Silver Medal in WS

Government support

— Financial Assistance for Equipment

— Financial Assistance for Training & Competition

— Out of Pocket Allowance under TOPS