Kumar’s victory ensured India held on to the SL3 gold that Bhagat had snatched up three years ago when badminton made its Paralympic debut in Tokyo
Pramod Bhagat. Pic: PTI; (right) Nitesh Kumar. Pic Credit: IG/nitesh_kmar
As the national anthem played and the Indian flag rose triumphantly while the gold medal gleamed around his neck, Nitesh Kumar’s mind wandered back to the entire saga that had led to his overwhelming win.