Sukant Kadam’s journey in para-badminton is one of quiet resilience and relentless pursuit. From casually playing cricket to becoming World No. 2 and representing India at the Paralympics, Sukant’s story is a testament to self-belief and perseverance.
It was on a cricket field when he injured his knee. The injury led to his knee getting operated multiple times. But several surgeries meant that his left leg was permanently impaired. Sukant could not continue playing cricket any longer. But his love for sports did not die. He realised that he could pursue a career in badminton. Cricket’s loss was badminton’s gain as the boy from Maharashtra became a top para-shuttler.
Once Sukant got the sniff of success on badminton court he did not look back. As of now Sukant has won four World Championship bronze medals, three bronze medals at Asian Para Games. He is also an Paralympian as he represented India at the Paris Paralympic Games last year. Although he did not win a medal in Paris, but that hasn’t deterred him a bit!
He is now gearing up for the Asian Badminton Championships. Before travelling for the competition, Sukant took time out for an interview with The Sportz Planet.
The excerpts of the interview are below:
Q: How did you first start playing para-badminton?
Sukant: I started my para-badminton journey in 2012 when I was an engineering student, I was playing badminton locally in my college at college level only. I was just playing for fun. And then I got to know, you know, Saina (Nehwal) got a bronze medal in the Olympics in the badminton. I felt that touched me. It was so inspiring. And then within a month, I think I got to know about Girisha (Nagarajegowda), who got a silver medal at the high jump.[Girisha Nagarajegowda is a para-athlete who won silver medal at the London Paralympics in the men’s High jump – F42 event]
Then I started looking opportunity in the Paralympics.I didn’t know about the Para-badminton.
Q: Could you highlight what kind of challenges you have faced up until now?
Sukant: There are so many challenges. When I was started playing I was an engineering student. I was so energetic and so enthusiastic to learn new things, explore new things. I was young, but I didn’t have knowledge. I didn’t know much about Para-sports. I started googling, searching everywhere. I found about a few foreign players. I started texting them about a few things. So the first challenge was the awareness.
Then the next challenge was going to the international tournaments. There was always lack of funds. Initially people didn’t believe in me. I had to explain to them what I was doing. It was a big challenge then.
There was the challenge to find for myself and a good academy. There was no one in India was teaching para-badminton.So I requested Nikhil Kanetkar who was a paralympian in 2004. When I first requested him, he also ignored, but I persisted.
Q: Which has been that moment that gave you a self belief that you can pursue a career in para-badminton?
Sukant: There are two moments for me and my family. When I got selected for Tokyo Paralympics. That moment gave me the opportunity to start believing in myself and start preparing myself for that level. That was the moment for me. From that moment I didn’t think about anything else. I just focused on para-badminton. I think till now I am doing the same thing. For my family, it was the moment when I got the government job. When I got the government job, they started thinking that he was doing something right. And they started supporting me. So there are two moments.
Also Read: Small In Stature, Giant In Spirit: Krishna Nagar’s Golden Journey In Para-Badminton
Q: Last year you made your debut at the Paralympics in Paris. Could you describe your feelings?
Sukant: The overall experience was like the dream come true. Playing at that level in front of that kind of people was always dream. Playing at that stage is a different thing. I cannot explain it in the words.
What I experienced at the Games Village is that everybody was is in his zone. Their only target is to win the medals for their nation. And that concentration, that focus, that dedication, is a different thing. I learnt a lot in that period.
Q: Last year, before the start of Paralympics I spoke to Devendra Jhajharia (President of Paralympic Committee of India). He assured me that India will win over 20 medals at the Paralympic Games. India ended up winning 29 medals. The performance of by para-athletes surprised most people in India. What has led to the improved performance by India in para-sports?
Sukant: I think the best thing that has happened for para athletes or para sport is the recognition. The way people have taken up the sports, the way people have started supporting us is excellent. The way the way Prime Minister takes interest in our sports. He is always so energetic to know what is happening in para sports. That recognition has helped us.
Initially, the athletes were struggling for each and everything. But with the amount of support we are getting is great. Now there is equal support for para-athletes and able bodied athletes.
And then there is a support from media.There is more awareness about para sports. And more and more athletes are coming more and we are sure to win more medals. And I definitely agree with the Devendra Jhajharia sir. I believe we will win more medals at the Los Angeles Games.
Q: So recently, you climbed to number two ranking in your category. How was that feeling like?
Sukant: Excellent! I mean, whenever you improve your rank, that’s the sign of improvement.It shows that you are putting your efforts in positive direction! It is a proud moment for me. I mean, it was excellent to become world number two again.
Q: How have you prepared for the upcoming Asian Badminton Championships and what are your expectations from yourself?
Sukant: Preparations have been excellent. I have prepared a lot. This is the best tournament of this year. And I want to give it a lot of myself. And I’m expecting to win this tournament because the way I have started this year winning the tournament and playing back-to-back finals. I feel it. I’m well prepared for this competition. And now I am aiming to win this tournament.
Q: How can India improve in para-sports more?
Sukant: We are in a right direction. We need to identify the talents as soon as possible. If we can find the athletes who are between the age of 10-15, you know, and start nurturing them. I think talent identification could be the best thing for the para sports. Then the next thing is structured training.Some athletes are still struggling to get good kind of a structured training. So I feel it these these two aspects if we improve in every sport, definitely there will be an improvement in the upcoming medal tally.
Q: Finally, Sukant, just one message for young boys and girls who want to pursue a career in sports. What would your message be for them?
Sukant: I’ll definitely say to them that believe in yourself. There’s nothing you cannot achieve. Just keep dreaming higher. Dream bigger, aim higher, definitely you will achieve everything.
Prakhar Sachdeo
The Sportz Planet Desk
