We Salute Worlds No 1 Badminton Player Anand Kumar.

Kumar was World No. 1 in para athletes ranking in 2013. He has been a regular at most para badminton meets, and has won the Israel para Championship on three occasions. Currently ranked No. 7.After all, life has not been quite easy for the 36-year-old diagnosed with polio in the right leg and right hand.

When he decided to play the sport for fun at 19, his main problem was finding a coach. “I used to go to Canara Union, a sports coaching academy in Bengaluru. I wanted to learn how to play, but nobody would coach me the technical aspects of the game.Someone from the para association saw that I was a decent player and gave me a chance to represent India in the German International tournament in 2001. Obviously due to lack of coaching, I failed miserably. That’s when I decided that I really need a coach if I want to participate in future events.”

His major breakthrough was winning the Israel Open in 2003, and things just spiralled upwards after that. “After winning the tournament in Israel, I was given the opportunity to participate in major events. When I won bronze at the 2004 Asian Championship, I felt that I had arrived on the big stage. It was the beginning of something new, and I was ready for it.”

After claiming the World No. 1 spot in June 2013, Kumar decided that he wanted to give back to the sport. So he started the Anand Kumar badminton academy, where he not only coaches para athletes, but also normal kids.

I’m scheduled to play the Spanish Para-Badminton tournament in March. I’m going to continue playing in these tournaments to keep myself fit and get selected to represent India in the 2020 Paralympics where badminton will make its debut at the Games. As an athlete, there’s nothing better than winning an Olympic medal.”