India's top-ranked Suhas Yathiraj has set his sights on a delicious reward if he clinches gold in the SL 4 singles badminton event at the Paris Paralympics. The 41-year-old, who has been managing an ankle impairment, advanced to the semi-finals by defeating South Korea's Shin Kyung-hwan in straight sets at La Chapelle Arena. If Yathiraj wins the gold, he plans to indulge in a buttery croissant, a treat he has been avoiding during the tournament due to his strict diet.
Currently adhering to a health-focused diet rich in muesli, fruit, and protein while low in carbs, Yathiraj is determined to enjoy his croissant reward if he achieves his goal. Despite the dietary restrictions, he has kept his motivation high, fueled by a mix of healthy eating and the dream of treating himself after the finals.
Yathiraj’s journey to Paris has been marked by significant milestones, including narrowly missing gold at the Tokyo Paralympics but later securing titles at the Asian Para Games and the World Championships. He acknowledges that his drive to succeed stemmed from that close loss, which pushed him to keep striving and improving in his sport.
As Yathiraj prepares for the semi-finals, he remains focused and avoids dwelling on his world number one status to manage pressure effectively. His main competitor could be the French shuttler Lucas Mazur, who is backed by enthusiastic home support. Despite their rivalry, Yathiraj views it as a positive and motivating force, hoping that their competitive spirit adds excitement to the Games.
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