Get to know... Nitesh Kumar

Para badminton athlete Nitesh Kumar (@Nitesh_Kmar) is listening to Diljit Dosanjh songs, focusing on his training, and secretly whipping up killer dishes

Get to know... Nitesh Kumar

Currently, I am

Back in training.

High point in life

Winning Gold for India at the Paris Paralympics 2024 in the Men’s Singles SL3 category.

Low point in life

A train accident in 2009 when I was 15. It left me with permanent leg damage and my leg had to be amputated. It was a tough phase but I never gave up!

On my playlist

Songs by Diljit Dosanjh, the late Sidhu Moose Wala, Karan Aujla and The Ranveer Show podcast.

One thing I would never buy

Any expensive car.

Today I am craving

Homemade choorma.

Last thing I ordered online

A Seiko watch.

App I check before going to bed

YouTube Music.

Advice I’d give my 18-year-old self

Focus on the process rather than the results for true success.

My favourite subject in school

Mathematics.

I’d swipe right on...

A sports enthusiast who shares my tastes in music and food.

My secret skill

I can cook pretty well.

A superpower I wish I had

To heal and recover effortlessly.

My favourite Sunday memory

Going swimming with my father when I was 10 years old, and coming home to a lunch of hot parathas.

My plans for next Sunday

Attending an event in Bengaluru.

My most star-struck moment

Meeting Ranveer Singh at the Ambani residence recently.

My favourite bad habit

I can’t say no to people easily.

If I could travel back or forward in time

I’d go back to 2019 during the Tokyo Paralympics qualifiers and focus on my recovery more.

The best thing about fame

Sharing the joy of winning with every individual; inspiring others that determination and hard work matter.

The worst thing about fame

Being judged for everything I do.