Exclusive/ IAS Suhas Yathiraj Discusses Balancing His Roles as a Civil Servant and World No. 1 Para-Shuttler

Suhas Yathiraj is one of India's top performers at the 2024 Paralympics. The para-shuttler won a silver medal in badminton at the 2023 Para Games in Paris, gaining global recognition. He is not only a silver medallist but also passed one of the country's most difficult exams -- IAS -- on his first try. The World Number One Para Shuttler has been juggling with his duty and passion for sports. Yathiraj recently expressed on hit it has been for him as he manages both roles.

Also Read: Paralympics Silver Medallist Suhas Yathiraj Opens Up About Managing Pressure in Matches

Suhas Yathiraj Opens Up on Balancing Civil Service and Para-Badminton Stardom

During an exclusive interaction with Republic, Paralympic Silver Medalist and IAS Suhas Yathiraj reveals how it has been taking up critical roles as an IAS and as the World number one Para Shuttler. He offered his viewpoint, stating that an individual will enjoy the process if they truly love what they are doing.  

"My perspective is if you really love doing something, you will enjoy the process. You probably enjoy journalism. That is why you are doing a podcast. You don't really feel that it is painful to actually, you know, do journalism. So similarly, being a civil servant is a, it gives me happiness and pleasure to be amidst people and to serve, the people.

"And again, when I practice for, 1 or 2 hours on the badminton court, the sweating in the badminton court is not pain, but it is pleasure for me. So I think for anyone, if they pursue what they like, then the journey become that much more easier," Suhas Yathiraj said.

Also Read: ‘I Entered by Accident’: Para-Olympian Suhas Yathiraj Reveals How He Found His Passion for Sports

Suhas Yathiraj has been an unstoppable force after his win in Beijing. The superstar para-athlete has been juggling life with his profession and passion, and he intends to continue it that way. However, joining the sport was not on Yathiraj's list as he said that he joined the sport by accident.

"I entered sports by accident. I did not really think in the initial days that I will play professionally, but then in 2016, I played Asian Championship in Beijing, China. And then, I did not really expect anything of myself. I went as an unseeded player and won the gold medal. From there on the journey of winning medals in Asian Para Games, Arjuna Award, then Tokyo and Paris," said Yathiraj.