Indian para-shuttler Sukant Kadam is set to compete in the upcoming Badminton Asia Para-Badminton Championships in Mueang, Thailand, starting on June 17, 2025. Kadam, currently ranked world number 2 in the SL4 category, is determined to secure a victory.

The 32-year-old is approaching the tournament with a focused mindset, acknowledging the responsibility that comes with his high ranking. "Of course, when you are higher ranked, you have the responsibility of justifying the rank," Kadam stated, "Being the World No. 2, I know that responsibility very well and I will play to fulfil that. I will not play keeping my rank in mind, I've prepared for the opponents and am very confident about the result."

Kadam recognizes the challenge posed by Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan, who defeated him in the men's singles SL4 event at the Paris Paralympics last year. "In my category, I feel Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan is my toughest opponent, and I've never won against him. This time, I've prepared well for him, but other than him, Indian players are also good, including upcoming and experienced ones. The competition level is very high, but I'm prepared for it," he added.

In the lead-up to the Asia Para-Badminton Championships, Kadam has been training rigorously. "The training was very good and I've prepared hard for the tournament. I'm playing to win the tournament, nothing less than that," Kadam told IANS on Thursday. He is aiming for nothing less than a win at the Championships.

Kadam's season began with a title at the Spanish Para-Badminton International - II in Victoria. He followed this with runner-up finishes at the Spanish Para-Badminton International - I in Toledo and the Bahrain Para-Badminton International in Manama. Reflecting on his goals for the season, Kadam stated, "My aim is to perform consistently and prepare myself well for big tournaments. I've not won a level 1 tournament so far, and my lowest aim is to win it this year."

Kadam's experience at the Paris Paralympics has provided valuable lessons. "It was my first Paralympics, so it was a proud moment for me to play at that level. My analysis was in big tournaments, you have to keep your confidence high and can't lose focus. Self-confidence and self-awareness are something I need to work on a lot. How to keep yourself calm and performance-oriented is something that I lacked in Paris, but I'm working on that these days." He aims to apply these lessons at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.

Sukant Kadam's journey reflects resilience and continuous improvement. He remains dedicated to consistent performance and is determined to make a significant impact at the Asia Para-Badminton Championships.