Suhas Yathiraj Expresses Disappointment After Securing Bronze at Asian Para Games
Indian para-badminton player Suhas Yathiraj expressed disappointment following his bronze medal finish in the men's singles SL4 event at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan. The 43-year-old shuttler, who had defeated Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan in a group stage match just days prior, fell short in the semifinal against the same opponent.
Yathiraj lost the semifinal contest 23-21, 8-21, 15-21. He missed opportunities to close out the opening game after holding set points, before rebounding to win the second set convincingly. However, a lapse in concentration during the final game allowed Setiawan to secure the victory and advance to the final.
Speaking from Aichi-Nagoya, Yathiraj noted that he was not satisfied with the bronze medal, stating that he believed he could have achieved a better result had he played to his full potential. He highlighted the close nature of the opening set and pointed out that losing focus for a few rallies after a 10-all tie in the deciding set cost him the match. He emphasized that performing under pressure during crucial moments remains the most critical factor for success at major international competitions.
Career Milestones and Future Prospects
Yathiraj, who is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and an Arjuna Award recipient, made his international badminton debut at the Asian Championships in Beijing in November 2016, where he won a gold medal. Over the past decade, he has accumulated multiple medals at major global sporting events.
His achievements include a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, silver medals at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, alongside his recent bronze in Nagoya. Looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics, Yathiraj expressed gratitude for his journey and stated that he prefers to approach his career step by step rather than projecting too far into the future.
Managing Dual Responsibilities as an IAS Officer
In addition to his athletic career, Yathiraj maintains a demanding schedule as an IAS officer. His professional routine involves early-morning fitness sessions, administrative office work, site inspections, meetings, video conferences, and file reviews. He transitions to badminton court training during the evening and night.
To maintain the physical conditioning required for elite badminton, Yathiraj adheres to a strict fitness regimen and nutritional discipline, which includes avoiding sweets and fried foods for extended periods. He described his athletic pursuits as his chosen form of leisure, acknowledging the sacrifices required to balance public service with professional sport.
Inspirations and Peer Admiration
Reflecting on his development as a shuttler, Yathiraj credited former Malaysian badminton star Lee Chong Wei as an early inspiration, particularly noting his court movement. He also acknowledged contemporary Indian players, including Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and Kidambi Srikanth, expressing admiration for their performance levels at the top tier of international badminton.
