Paris Paralympics 2024: Suhas Yathiraj Loses Final, Settles For Silver In SL4 Section

In a rematch of the gold medal match at the Tokyo Paralympics, India's Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj went down to France's Lucas Mazur once again, setting for a silver medal after a 0-2 defeat in the Men's Singles SL4 section on Monday. Yathiraj, who had lost to Mazur in three games in the Tokyo final, could not repeat that performance and lost 9-21, 13-21 to the local star in a match that lasted 34 minutes. The SL4 category is for players with movement affected at a low level on one side of the body, in both legs or the minor absence of one limb. They play standing on a full-width court and have good court movement and a full range of shots.

Yathiraj, an IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, is the reigning Asian Para Games gold medallist in the SL4 category and has a running rivalry with Mazur.

Mazur continued what has been the theme for the tournament for the hometown favourite and took a 7-0 lead in the first game. Despite a fightback from the Indian player, the early lead was too much for Suhas to cover as he lost 9-21. The 41-year-old Indian para shuttler tried to find his footing in the second game but the challenge proved too much as he trailed 6-11 at the mid-game interval. Mazur comfortably closed the game 13-21 to secure his second consecutive gold medal in this category.

Yathiraj began his Paris Paralympics journey with two consecutive wins in straight sets after defeating both Indonesia's Hikmant Ramdani 21-7, 21-5 and Republic of Korea's Kyung Hwan Shin in the opening stages to top Group A. Group winners were guaranteed a spot in the semifinals of the event where Suhas faced compatriot Sukant Kadam.

Yathiraj bested Kadam in straight games securing a decisive 2-0 victory (21-19, 21-12) in a match that lasted