Paris Paralympics: Shuttler Nitesh Kumar enters badminton final, assured of at least silver
Paris, Sep 1: Top-seeded Indian shuttler Nitesh Kumar secured a medal in men's singles SL3 category after a commanding straight-game win over Japan's Daisuke Fujihara in the semifinals at the Paris Paralympics on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Nitesh, who overcame permanent leg damage from a 2009 accident, showed his dominance with a 21-16 21-12 win over Fujihara in a 48-minute semifinal.
The IIT Mandi graduate thus ensured that India return with a medal from the SL3 category, after Pramod Bhagat clinched the gold when para badminton made its debut three years ago in Tokyo.
SL3 class players, like Nitesh, compete with more severe lower limb disabilities, requiring play on a half-width court.
In the summit clash, Nitesh will face Great Britain's Daniel Bethell, who beat Thailand's Bunsun Mongkhon 21-7, 21-9 in the other semifinal.
Bethell, who was the runner-up to Pramod Bhagat in the Tokyo Paralympics, is a formidable opponent, setting the stage for an electrifying final on Monday.
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Three killed, seven feared trapped after house collapses in UP's Meerut
Meerut, Sep 14: Three people were killed, two injured and seven feared trapped after a three-storey house collapsed in this Uttar Pradesh district on Saturday, officials said.
"Twelve people got buried under the debris after the sudden collapse of the house. Till now, five people have been taken out from the debris. Of them, three died and two injured have been admitted to Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College," the relief commissioner's office said.
The incident occurred around 5:15 pm and emergency services were immediately alerted, it said.
District Magistrate Deepak Meena confirmed the collapse of the three-storey house in Zakir Colony.
Officials initially said around six people were trapped under the debris.
Senior officials rushed to the spot to oversee the rescue operations.
National Disaster Response Force, fire brigade and police teams are working to rescue those trapped under the debris.
