Paralympics: Manisha Ramadass Adds Glory To Para-Badminton Team, Bags Bronze

19-year-old Manisha Ramadass won a bronze medal after she defeated Denmark's Cathrine Rosengren in the SU5 category at the Paris Paralympics. Ramadass won the game with the scores 21-12, 21-8 at the LA Chapelle Arena Court 3 in 25 minutes. It was at the age of 11 when an interest in badminton sparked in Ramadass. She was born with Erb’s Palsy, paralysis of arms yet nothing stopped her from becoming what she is today - a champion. 

Inspiration for badminton 

Her inspiration is badminton champion Saina Nehwal who drove her interest into badminton. She came to know about para-badminton from a friend and since then there has been no looking back. Speaking to The Bridge, she mentioned, “My school teachers approached my parents stating I am good at a lot of sports. They let me focus on it when I was in fifth grade. It was then that I decided to spend my energy on badminton, simply because I am a huge Saina Nehwal fan.”

Manisha Ramadass said that till now she has met all the sportastars. But she is waiting to meet Saina Nehwal. 

Family and birth 

Ramadass' father is a civil contractor and mother a homemaker. She was born with an impairment in right arm. She underwent three surgeries. Ramadass was born as a forceps baby. Speaking about the struggle during her birth, Ramadass said, "It means that my mother's labour was not progressing, so the doctors had to assist her externally to bring me into this world. From what I know, I had to be pulled out by my shoulder while I was being born."

Ramadass considers her parents as the biggest cheerleaders. Her father was a badminton player too. Speaking about him, she said, “My father is a former district-level ball badminton player. He knows what it takes to succeed in sports.”. She further added, “Before putting me in badminton he just asked me if I would give my best. I had to promise him that I would give it my all and that allowing me to play would not just be a waste of money.”

Adding further with elation, Ramadass said, “It has been seven years since then. I am happy that I could keep that promise and it was not all a waste,"

Achievements over the years

Her maiden badminton game was in the Para-Badminton State Championship when she started her journey into para-badminton. In the first year of the competition itself, Ramadass became the World's No 1 in para badminton.

In the 2022 World Championship in Japan, Ramdass secured a gold medal, marking a history in her career. In the same year, Ramdadass secured three bronze medals in the 2022 Asian Para Games. She has won many laurels in International games in both Level 1 and Level 2 games. 

Manisha Ramadass's commendable performance

Winning a medal in the Paris Paralympics was not an easy game. She made an impressive start with a win over France’s Maud Lefort in straight games in the group stage. 

Then she again played a good game against China’s Yang Qiuxia and secured her place in the top 8 players. She continued her feat even against Japan’s Mamiko Toyoda. 

However, she lost the opportunity to fight for gold in the semi-finals as India's Para badminton player Thulasimathi Murugesan won the silver medal in the finals. 

Even then, Ramadass played her best game in the finals against Danish player. It seemed as if she owned the court.