Nitesh, 29, showcased his dominance with a 21-16, 21-12 win in a 48-minute match, ensuring India return with a medal from the SL3 category.
He will compete against Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the final, who defeated Thailand’s Bunsun Mongkhon 21-7, 21-9 in the other semifinal.
“I have been performing consistently, so I had the self belief that I will make the finals and it feels amazing to actually do that because there is pressure and I had lost my mixed doubles but I didn’t let it affect me,” he said.
Nitesh overcame permanent leg damage from an accident in 2009 and displayed outstanding performance throughout the tournament.
Ensuring a medal from the SL3 category, Nitesh followed in the footsteps of Pramod Bhagat, who clinched the gold when para badminton made its debut three years ago in Tokyo.
Players in the SL3 class compete with severe lower limb disabilities and play on a half-width court. The IIT Mandi graduate will now face a formidable opponent in Bethell, who was the runner-up in the Tokyo Paralympics.
The final on Monday is set to be an electrifying match, with Nitesh aiming for gold against Bethell, who has proven to be a strong contender.
