Paris Paralympics 2024: Palak Kohli loses her Women’s Singles SL4 quarterfinal match
On Sunday, September 1st, 2024, Indian para-badminton player Palak Kohli suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Singles SL4 event at the Paris Paralympics. Kohli, a bronze medalist at the 2023 World Championships, lost to Indonesia’s Khalimatus Sadiyah in straight games with a scoreline of 19-21, 15-21.
Main Points
Palak Kohli Quarterfinal Match
The match between Palak Kohli and Khalimatus Sadiyah lasted 28 minutes. Kohli, who competes in the SL4 class for athletes with less severe lower limb impairment, put up a good fight but was ultimately outmatched by her Indonesian opponent.
In the first game, Kohli narrowly lost 19-21 after a closely contested affair. However, Sadiyah seemed to have the upper hand in the second game, winning it 21-15 to seal the match.
Reactions and Reflections
Palak Kohli’s early exit from the Paris Paralympics has left her fans and supporters disappointed. The 22-year-old had high hopes of making a deep run in the tournament and potentially winning a medal for India.
“It’s a tough loss to take, but I’m proud of the fight I put up against a tough opponent like Sadiyah,” said Kohli in a post-match interview. “I’ll learn from this experience and come back stronger in future tournaments.”
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Other Indian Shuttlers in Action
Palak Kohli was not the only Indian para-badminton player in action on Sunday. In the Women’s Singles SL3 quarterfinal, Mandeep Kaur also suffered a defeat, losing 8-21, 9-21 to Nigeria’s Bolaji Mariam Eniola.
However, there were some positive results for India in the men’s singles events. Suhas Yathiraj and Sukant Kadam both advanced to the semifinals of the SL4 category, setting up an all-Indian clash. Nitesh Kumar also reached the semifinals of the SL3 men’s singles event, where he will face Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara.
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment of Palak Kohli’s early exit, the Indian para-badminton team still has plenty to play for in the remaining days of the Paris Paralympics. With several players still in contention for medals, the country will be hoping to add to its tally in the sport.
Kohli herself will be eager to bounce back from this setback and continue her development as a player. At just 22 years old, she has a bright future ahead of her and will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
As the Paralympics continue, fans will be keeping a close eye on the progress of all the Indian athletes, both in para-badminton and other sports. With the country currently sitting 22nd in the overall medal table, there is still plenty to play for as the Games reach their climax.
