NEW DELHI: Suhas Yathiraj, an Indian para-badminton player, has ascended to the top spot in the BWF Para Badminton World Rankings, surpassing the French icon Lucas Mazur.
The 40-year-old, who is also an Arjuna award recipient, clinched the silver medal in the SL-4 category at the Tokyo Paralympics.
In the final match of the Paralympics, Suhas faced off against Mazur but fell short of claiming the gold. Despite the loss, his exceptional skills and dedication have propelled him to the pinnacle of the rankings, reported PTI.
With a total of 60,527 points, Suhas now sits comfortably ahead of his French competitor, who has accumulated 58,953 points.
"Finally World Number 1. Happy to share that, In the latest Badminton World Federation Para Badminton rankings announced today for Men's Singles category, I have got world number 1 ranking, first time in life, replacing previously long standing world number 1 Lucas Mazur of France.Thanks a lot for your blessings and wishes," Suhas wrote on 'X'.
Suhas, a member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from Uttar Pradesh, secured the World Championship crown by overcoming Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan earlier this year in February.
In para badminton, the SL-4 classification is designated for athletes who have a minor impairment affecting movement on one side of their body, both lower limbs, or a slight absence of a single limb.
The players play standing on a full-width court and have good court movement and a full range of shots.
