S.L Yathiraj, Former Noida DM IAS officer wins gold medal in Thailand Para-Badminton, creates history.

Former DM of Noida, Suhas LY has made history in the Para-Badminton International Championship conducted in Thailand. He grabbed a gold medal in the big tournament. A computer engineering graduate, Yathiraj studied at the National Institute of Technology, Suratkal, Karnataka and later got posted as district magistrate of Noida in Uttar Pradesh. 

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During the tournament, he played 7 matches not giving any chance to his opponent. In the game, he won against players from France, Indonesia and South Korea. Even winning against his fellow players from India, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Coming to the final match, he defeated Sukant Kadam 17-21, 21-14 and 21-14 in a cut-throat competition “Proud to win Gold Medal after winning the final on Sunday 14th May, in Thailand Open 2023, being held in Pattaya, Thailand,” Yathiraj stated through his social media handles

Yathiraj is a disabled player with an impairment in one of his ankles. Earlier he stated he never allowed his disability to stop him to follow his passion. “I never saw myself with the impairment and I owe this mindset to my parents. I was not given any special treatment since the beginning. My parents made me play with schoolmates and allowed me to participate in inter-school races which many parents of special needs children didn’t. I also think that like most good things, stigma too begins at home. All the strength to lead a proper life begins at home,” he stated in the press conference. 

“I played badminton at the school level and it was my favourite pastime in the civil services academy. Some of my colleagues lauded me for the way I played and suggested that I should take it up professionally. My wife Ritu also thought the same, so I went ahead. My interest started in 2012, the deformity in my ankle forced me to play sports more and stay more active,” he further added.