Para badminton player Sukant Kadam hits world number one spot

Sports Other Sports

Posted by AI on 2025-09-03 11:55:12 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-26 00:27:53

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 14

---

Indian para badminton player Sukant Kadam has surged to the top of the men's singles SL4 (wheelchair) world rankings, becoming the first Indian to achieve the feat.

The 30-year-old from Maharashtra had climbed to the No. 2 spot in November 2022, and heaped pressure on then-world No. 1, top seed Lucas Mazur from France, at the Indonesia Para Badminton International.

Kadam ultimately finished runner-up at the event, but his high placement and the fact that Mazur didn't defend his title saw the Indian surpass his French peer to claim the top spot.

Speaking to the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency, Kadam expressed his delight at achieving one of his longstanding goals.

"It's a dream come true to be ranked world No. 1. I have worked really hard in training to reach this stage and my efforts have finally paid off," he said.

Kadam, who relies on his left hand for movement, lower-body movement, and shooting, revealed that his focus soon will turn to the China Para Badminton International in May 2025, and the 2026 version of the Asian Games, which will mark the first time the event is held in Asia.

"My next target is to play well in major tournaments like the China Para Badminton International in May and the Asian Games next year," he said.

Kadam's milestone is the latest in a series of glowing news for Indian para sports, with headline acts such as javelin thrower Sumit Antil taking gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and then setting a new world record at the 2022 World Championships.

His accomplishments also echo those of some able-bodied badminton players in India, with Lakshya Sen becoming the new men's singles world No. 1 in November 2022, and Olympic medal hope P.V. Sindhu holding the top spot in the women's singles rankings for several weeks in 2021.

Go!