Meet Thulasimathi Murugesan, a Veterinary Science Student Turned Shuttler Who Started at 5 and Made Paralympic History with Silver

22-year-old para-shuttler Thulasimathi Murugesan's dedication has earned her multiple awards and honours, serving as a source of inspiration for athletes around the world.

Indian para-badminton athlete made history by securing a silver medal at the Paris Paralympics on September 2. She reached the Women’s Singles on SU5 final but was defeated by China’s Yang Qiuxia, who won the match 21-17, 21-10 in just 30 minutes. Despite her valiant effort, she ultimately secured the silver medal and made India proud.  Murugesan scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach summit clash in badminton at the Paralympics.

A moment of immense pride as Thulasimathi wins a Silver Medal in the Women’s Badminton SU5 event at the #Paralympics2024! Her success will motivate many youngsters. Her dedication to sports is commendable. Congratulations to her. @Thulasimathi11 #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/Lx2EFuHpRg

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 2, 2024

Who is Thulasimathi Murugesan?

Thulasimathi Murugesan hails from Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. At the age of 22,she was born with a congenital deformity in her left hand, resulting in the loss of her thumb. An unfortunate life-threatening accident worsened the situation, impacting her left hand’s mobility even more. Despite these significant challenges, Murugesan’s father, who is an avid sports lover motivated her to take up badminton and even encouraged her to play alongside able-bodied players. She got into badminton at seven and never look back since then. She has also studied Veterinary Science at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai. Her sister, Kiruttigha, is also a badminton player and has won several district-level games.

Throughout her career, Murugesan has achieved several accolades. She notably secured a gold medal in women’s doubles at the 5th Fazza Dubai Para-Badminton International 2023, teaming up with Manasi Joshi. She also earned a bronze medal at the same event, partnering with Nitesh Kumar. Her dedication has earned her multiple awards and honours, serving as a source of inspiration for athletes around the world. Thulasimathi Murugesan’s relentless pursuit of excellence exemplifies the spirit of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness in the field of Paralympics.