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.
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 by 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
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 in singles, silver in doubles with Joshi and bronze in mixed doubles with Kumar Nitesh.[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
Thulasimathi won the Sportstar Aces Awards 2024 Sportswoman of the Year award for her exploits in 2023.[11]
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