Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj is a prolific Indian para-badminton player known for his aggressive style of playing. Yathiraj competes in both men’s singles and doubles events in the SL4 category (for players with locomotor disabilities) and is recognized for his significant contributions to Indian para-badminton. He gained recognition for his performances in various national and international tournaments, but the pinnacle of his career came when he won a Silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, becoming one of the first Indian para-badminton players to achieve this milestone.
MEDAL RECORDS
| Tournament |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympics | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| World Championships | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian Para Games | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Asian Championships | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Early Life
Born on July 2, 1983, in Hassan, Karnataka, Suhas Yathiraj is an IAS officer of the 2007 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. He has served as the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar and Prayagraj. An engineer who graduated from the National Institute of Technology, he is the only IAS officer in India to win a Paralympic medal and an Arjuna Award. Born with an ankle impairment, he cleared the UPSC examination in his first attempt. However, badminton remains his first love, which led to his international debut in para-badminton in 2016. Since then, he has excelled in various competitions, including the Asian Championships, World Championships, and Paralympic Games, achieving remarkable success.
Personal Life
Suhas is married to Ritu Suhas, who was crowned Mrs. U.P. in the Mrs. India 2019 contest. She is currently a PCS officer serving as Additional District Magistrate in Ghaziabad. They have a daughter, Saanvi, who is 5 years old, and a son, Vivaan, who is 2 years old. It is noteworthy that Suhas’s wife, Ritu, has also received recognition for her outstanding work in promoting voter awareness during the general elections.
Career Highlights
World No. 1: Achieved the top ranking in men’s singles in the BWF Para Badminton World Rankings.
Paralympic Silver Medalist: Won a silver medal in the SL-4 category at the Tokyo Paralympics 2021.
Arjuna Awardee: Honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award for his outstanding contributions to para-badminton.
National Champion: Multiple-time national champion in para-badminton.
IAS Officer: Successful career as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, balancing his duties with his passion for badminton.
International Success: Represented India at numerous international para-badminton tournaments and achieved consistent success.
Road to Paralympic Games
Suhas Yathiraj qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympics primarily due to his consistently high ranking in the BWF Para-Badminton World Rankings. Currently, he is ranked No. 1 in men’s singles, which was the main reason for his qualification. As a top-ranked player in the SL4 category, he automatically secured his place on the Indian Paralympic team. Additionally, his performance in international competitions, including his silver medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, has solidified his position as one of the leading para-badminton players in the world.
Training & Preparation
Speaking about his preparation, Yathiraj mentioned that he is fully ready for the challenge and emphasized that the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics is now behind him. He noted, “I can’t dwell on that, but I also don’t want to think too much ahead.” Currently, Yathiraj is preparing for the upcoming matches starting from the pre-quarterfinals. According to his own words, his main focus will be to apply himself in every match and perform to the best of his abilities.
Regarding being labelled as a favorite, Yathiraj added, “I will be taking it one match at a time. I never imagined I would be playing in the Paralympics and becoming a professional badminton player. I was always focused on my studies after my disability, but through sports, I found a mission in life.”
Events at Paralympics
Para-Badminton
| Event | Date |
| Men’s Singles SL4 | 29 August |
| Men’s Mixed Doubles SL4 | 29 August |
Quotes and Interviews
“I believe in taking things as they come; focus on efforts and the results will automatically follow”
Suhas Yathiraj
Future Prospects
Suhas, who will look to defend his silver medal at this event, has his own perspective on his future. According to him, he has dedicated his life to sports, stating, “Besides it being a job, I have many more things to achieve. Whatever comes my way, I will take it on and put everything into it, but I also want to enjoy.” He emphasized, “You cannot get everything in life; everyone has to prioritize things when you aspire to represent the country. You should enjoy whatever you are doing. Enjoy the process.”
Conclusion
Suhas Yathiraj is the best example of triumph over adversity. Despite being born with a disability, he has excelled in multiple fields. After achieving everything a person dreams of, from fame to recognition, Suhas has become one of the big names in Indian Paralympics. He is now all set to reclaim his Paralympic medal, and it will be interesting to see how it goes for him this time, as he is one of the most important players in the contingent. This may bring pressure, but if he handles it as he has in the past, another medal in badminton looks confirmed at this mega event.
