Tokyo Paralympics: Manasi Joshi ‘angry’ and ‘disappointed’ as her wait for Paralympics debut continues

The Tokyo Paralympics will see para-badminton making its debut at the quadrennial event. Unfortunately, World Champion Manasi Joshi will not be featuring in the sports Paralympics debut. Joshi has been a trailblazer ever since she took up the sport following an accident in 2011.

Manasi is devastated as her wait for a Paralympic debut continues. Despite the setback, the ace para-shuttler promised to bounce back strong and continue her impressive performances. Manasi also thanked her coaches, her sponsors, her trainers and the Gopichand Badminton Academy for supporting her throughout the journey.

“I would like to let you all know that I won’t be participating in this year’s Paralympic Games in Tokyo. It is sad. I am disappointed and angry. I don’t know what to do right now but I will come back stronger. The whole of 2020 has been a year where I have learnt a lot. I am sorry that I couldn’t be a part of this year’s Paralympic Games. I wish every athlete from India the very best,” Manasi said in a video.

Why is the World Champion Manasi Joshi not participating in the Tokyo Paralympics?

Manasi Joshi is one of the most prominent names in India’s para-badminton circuit. Joshi has been the best of the lot ever since she took up the sport following an accident in 2011. The para shuttler grabbed the spotlight in 2019 by winning the World Championships in Basel. Manasi has won a silver and bronze in the same tournament two years apart on her way to the top.

Unfortunately, the star para athlete will have to wait to make her Paralympics debut. Making its debut at Tokyo 2020, para-badminton will be played out in 14 categories. In the women’s singles, WH1, WH2, SL4 and SU5 are the categories that will be featuring in the Tokyo Paralympics. Manasi, who competes in the women’s singles SL3 category will not be able to take part as her pet category is not a part of the Paralympics roster.

India is sending a seven-membered para-badminton team that features world No.1 Pramod Bhagat (SL3), Krishna Nagar (SH6) and Tarun Dhillon (SL4). The experienced Parul Parmar and the young Palak Kohli (SL3-SU5) will be featuring in the women’s doubles category. The team also comprises Suhas L. Yathiraj (SL4) and Manoj Sarkar (SL3).

Also Read: Rising against the odds: Our Women Para-Badminton Stars