New Delhi, July 1: Suhas L. Yathiraj, a prominent para-badminton player and IAS officer, has brought medals to India in the Paralympic Games. He is recognized for his exceptional achievements in both sports and administration, having won numerous medals at national and international levels.
Born on July 2, 1983, in Hassan, Karnataka, Suhas’s life has been filled with challenges. He faced difficulties with his leg from birth but maintained a strong interest in sports, supported by his family.
Suhas received his early education in Kannada, which made it challenging for him to enroll in an English medium school. His father’s job required frequent transfers, leading to his education in various cities.
Starting his education in a village, Suhas earned a degree in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology. The death of his father in 2005 deeply affected him, motivating him to pursue a career in civil services, prompting him to prepare for the UPSC exams.
He became an IAS officer in the 2007 batch. While living in Azamgarh, he developed a passion for badminton. Although he had played badminton since childhood, he had never competed professionally. During the inauguration of a badminton tournament in Azamgarh, Suhas requested the organizers to allow him to participate. After receiving permission, he showcased his talent by defeating several state-level players.
During this time, para-badminton coach Gaurav Khanna recognized Suhas’s potential and encouraged him to compete internationally. In 2016, Suhas won a gold medal in men’s singles at the Asian Championship.
Since then, Suhas has not looked back. Competing for the men’s team at the 2018 Asian Para Games, he secured a bronze medal, followed by a silver medal for India at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
For his outstanding performance, Suhas was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2021. In 2023, he claimed a gold medal at the Asian Para Games and later won gold at the World Championship 2024, along with a silver medal at the Paris Paralympics in the same year.
Suhas married Ritu in 2008, who is a PCS officer from the 2004 batch and was crowned Mrs. India in 2019.
Suhas Yathiraj has made remarkable contributions in both sports and administration. As an IAS officer, he has promoted good governance and public service, serving as an excellent inspiration for the youth.
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