Thulasimathi Murugesan
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Medal record
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Thulasimathi Murugesan (born 11 April 2002)[1] is a badminton paralympian from Tamil Nadu. She represented India at the 2022 Asian Para Games held at Gangzhou, China.[2] She won three medals in para badminton competitions, SL3-SU5 and SU5 classes. She made history as the first Indian woman shuttler to win a Paralympic silver medal, following a remarkable journey to the final in the SU5 category.
Early life and education
[edit]Thulasimathi is from Kancheepuram. She had a deformity in her left hand from birth which restricted her movements and flexion to below 30 per cent. Her father Murugesan was a sports addict and made both their daughters play together and did not reveal about her condition to Thulasimathi. She was supported b her sister, Kiruttigha. She was later spotted by coach Irfan, who was instrumental in getting her to Gopichand Academy at Hyderabad with the support of Olympic Gold Quest.[3] She is a student of veterinary science at a college in Namakkal, affiliated with Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai.[1][3]
Career
[edit]In December 2023, Thulasimathi won the gold medal in the women’s doubles partnering Manasi Joshi at the 5th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023.[4] She later won another bronze in the mixed doubles SL3 and SU5, along with Nitesh Kumar. Along with Manasi, she is second in the World Para-Badminton doubles rankings.[5] She trains under coaches Gopichand and Irfan at Hyderabad.[6] She is supported by Olympic Gold Quest.[7]
In the 4th Asian Para Games at Hangzhou she won three medals, gold, silver and bronze.[8] She won a bronze medal on 25 October 2023 in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 class pairing with Nitesh Kumar. She went on to win a silver medal partnering Manasi Joshi in the women's doubles SL3-SU5 on 27 October and topped it with a gold in the individual women’s singles SU5 class.[9][10]
Awards
[edit]Thulasimathi won the Sportstar Aces Awards 2024 Sportswoman of the Year award for her exploits in 2023.[11]
Achievements
[edit]Paralympic Games
[edit]Women's singles SU5
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | La Chapelle Arena Court 1, Paris, France |  Yang Qiuxia
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17-21, 10-21 |  Silver
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World Championships
[edit]Women’s doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall, Pattaya, Thailand |
Manasi Joshi
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 Leani Ratri Oktila Khalimatus Sadiyah
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20–22, 17–21 |  Silver
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References
[edit]- ^ a b "Paris 2024". www.paralympic.org. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ Sportstar, Team (2023-10-21). "India at Asian Para Games 2023: Full list of Indian athletes". Sportstar. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ a b "Paris Paralympics: Shuttler Thulasimathi Murugesan takes silver, vindication for family of modest means". The Indian Express. 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ "Manasi-Murugesan win gold, Pramod Bhagat secures two silver medals at Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International". The Times of India. 2023-12-18. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ PTI (2023-12-18). "Manasi-Murugesan pair wins women's doubles gold, Bhagat secures 2 silver medals at Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International". Sportstar. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ "Dubai Para Badminton International 2023: Manasi-Thulasimathi wins doubles gold, India return with 14 medals". Khel Now. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ "Para Badminton | OGQ". www.olympicgoldquest.in. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Parkar, Ubaid (2023-10-28). "Asian Para Games 2023 medal tally: Indian winners - full list". www.olympics.com. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ "Asian Para Games Day 3: Medal rush continues for India; medal tally stands at 34". mint. 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ Sekar, Divya. "Asian Para Games : பாரா ஆசிய விளையாட்டு போட்டி - பேட்மிண்டனில் தங்கம் வென்ற தமிழச்சி!". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ Sportstar, Team (2024-02-08). "Sportstar Aces Awards 2024: Thulasimathi Murugesan wins Sportswoman of the Year award". Sportstar. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
External links
[edit]
 Gold medalists |
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 Silver medalists |
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 Bronze medalists |
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- Living people
- 2002 births
- Racket sportspeople from Tamil Nadu
- Sportswomen from Tamil Nadu
- Paralympic badminton players for India
- Indian female badminton players
- Indian female para-badminton players
- Medalists at the 2022 Asian Para Games
- Medalists at the 2024 Summer Paralympics
- Paralympic silver medalists for India
- Badminton players at the 2024 Summer Paralympics