Is Sukant Kadam Targeting Victory at the Asia Para-Badminton Championships?

New Delhi, June 12 (NationPress) World No. 2 ranked Indian para-shuttler Sukant Kadam is fully prepared and aiming for victory in the upcoming Badminton Asia Para-Badminton Championships, commencing in Mueang, Thailand on June 17.

The 32-year-old has left no stone unturned as he readies himself to confront the tough competition posed by Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan, who triumphed over Kadam to secure the bronze medal in the men's singles SL4 event at the Paris Paralympics last year.

"The training has been excellent, and I have worked diligently for this tournament. My goal is to win it, and I will settle for nothing less," Kadam stated in an interview with IANS on Thursday.

"In my category, I consider Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan to be my most formidable rival, as I have yet to achieve a victory against him. This time, I have trained specifically for him, but Indian players, both emerging and seasoned, are also strong competitors. The level of competition is very high, but I'm ready for it," he added.

When asked if being the World No. 2 brings extra pressure, Kadam asserted, "Certainly, with a higher ranking comes the duty to uphold it. I am aware of my responsibilities as World No. 2, and I intend to live up to that. I won’t focus solely on my rank; my preparation has been centered on my opponents, and I am confident about the outcome."

He shared his aspirations for the current season, which began with a title win at the Spanish Para-Badminton International - II in Victoria, followed by a runner-up finish at the Spanish Para-Badminton International - I in Toledo and the Bahrain Para-Badminton International in Manama.

"My objective is to maintain consistent performance and adequately prepare for significant tournaments. I've yet to clinch a level 1 tournament, and my minimum goal is to secure one this year," Kadam noted.

Reflecting on his inaugural Paralympic experience in Paris last year, the seasoned para-shuttler emphasized that managing the pressure of large tournaments has been his most significant lesson, which he aims to address ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.

"Participating in my first Paralympics was a source of great pride for me. I’ve learned that in major tournaments, maintaining high confidence and focus is crucial. I need to enhance my self-confidence and self-awareness. Learning to stay calm and performance-oriented are areas where I fell short in Paris, but I am actively working on these skills now," Kadam stated.

"For the 2028 LA Paralympics, I am committed to giving my all, and my preparations commenced immediately after missing out on the bronze in Paris. Accepting the fourth position was tough, but these experiences will serve me well in the future," Kadam concluded.