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Indian para-badminton player and IAS officer Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj has won a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Indian shuttler lost to Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan in the men's singles SL4 semifinal on Thursday. Setiawan won the three-game contest 23-21, 8-21, 21-15 to secure his place in the final.
Despite missing out on a place in the final, Suhas secured a podium finish. The Indian athlete has previously won silver medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, adding to his impressive international record.
Asian Para Games 2026: Suhas Yathiraj Loses SL4 Semifinal
Suhas Yathiraj faced a tough challenge from Fredy Setiawan in the men's singles SL4 semifinal. The opening game was closely contested, with Setiawan edging past the Indian player 23-21.
Suhas responded strongly in the second game, displaying excellent control and determination. He dominated the game to register a convincing 21-8 victory, taking the match into a deciding third game.
However, Setiawan regained control in the final game. After a competitive start, the Indonesian shuttler built a lead and won 21-15 to book his place in the final. Suhas received the bronze medal following his semifinal defeat.
Suhas Yathiraj vs Fredy Setiawan: Full Match Score and Result
The men's singles SL4 semifinal between Suhas Yathiraj and Fredy Setiawan went the distance, with both players winning one game each before the Indonesian shuttler clinched the contest.
- Tournament: Asian Para Games 2026
- Sport: Para-Badminton
- Category: Men's Singles SL4
- Round: Semifinal
- Players: Suhas Yathiraj vs Fredy Setiawan
- Final Score: 23-21, 8-21, 21-15
- Winner: Fredy Setiawan (Indonesia)
- Suhas Yathiraj's Achievement: Bronze Medal
Who Is Suhas Yathiraj? Know About the IAS Officer and Para-Badminton Star
Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 2007 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. Born on July 2, 1983, he completed his engineering education at the National Institute of Technology, Surathkal.
Alongside his administrative responsibilities, Suhas has established himself as a prominent name in international para-badminton. He has served as the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
His achievements in sports have earned him the Arjuna Award. Suhas has also reached the world No. 1 ranking in the men's singles SL4 category, making him one of India's leading para-badminton athletes.
Suhas Yathiraj's Paralympics Journey: Tokyo and Paris Silver Medals
Suhas Yathiraj has enjoyed considerable success at the Paralympic Games. He won a silver medal in the men's singles SL4 category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
He repeated the achievement at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, securing another silver medal in the same category. Winning medals at two consecutive Paralympic Games established his reputation on the international stage.
His bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 adds another milestone to his sporting career. Suhas continues to balance his responsibilities as an IAS officer with his passion for badminton, inspiring aspiring athletes across India.
Asian Para Games 2026: Suhas Yathiraj Adds Another Medal to His Career
Although Suhas missed out on a place in the final, his bronze medal marks another important achievement in Indian para-badminton. His performance against Fredy Setiawan demonstrated his fighting spirit, particularly during his impressive comeback in the second game.
With two Paralympic silver medals and another podium finish at the Asian Para Games, Suhas Yathiraj continues to make his mark in international sport while serving in the Indian Administrative Service.
Also Read: Asian Para Games 2026: India Wins 5 Gold, Total 62 Medals
