Shuttlers assure India medals, Avani misses out

TAMIL Nadu shuttlers assured India a medal as Manisha Ramadass of Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram's Thulasimathi Murugesan set up a clash in the women's singles SU5 semifinal at the Paris Paralympics on Sunday.

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However, star shooter Avani Lekhara missed out on repeating her medal-winning feat failing to qualify for the final following an 11th-place finish in the mixed 10m air rifle prone (SH1) qualification.

The 19-year-old Manisha, who was born with Erb's palsy which affected her right arm, defeated Japan's Mamiko Toyoda 21-13, 21-16 in the quarterfinals. The second-seeded Indian left-hander needed 30 minutes to down her unseeded rival.

Erb's palsy is a nerve disorder in the shoulder and arm that results in weakness or loss of muscle function. In SU5 category, the players have impairment of the upper limbs. The impairment could be on the playing or non-playing hand.