Rewiring the Game

By Sreeram Muthuraman

So long story short — my left leg has been polio-affected since birth.

Badminton found me early, and over time, para-badminton became my space. I was competing, growing, and finding my rhythm. Then in 2017, life hit hard. I met with an accident — on the same leg. What followed was one of the toughest phases of my life.

Both my legs were operated on.
My left leg went through surgery twice after the accident.
My shoulder was dislocated.
I was bedridden for a year.
Crutches became my world.

Recovery was slow. Painful. Mentally exhausting.
But once I could stand, I tried to walk again.
Once I could walk, I picked up the racket again.
I restarted para-badminton — carefully, cautiously, stubbornly.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of representing India four times on the para circuit in the SL4 category. In 2022, I won a bronze medal in doubles at a Level 3 tournament and a silver in mixed doubles. I also competed at the Asian Para Badminton Championship — moments I’ll always carry with pride.

After 2022, I took a break.
The body needed rest. The mind needed space.
Now, I’m slowly finding my way back — through local tournaments, limited training, and a lot of adaptation. I train barely three hours a week. Working full-time in the IT industry makes it tough to push harder. The knee still hurts. The pain hasn’t gone away.

So I rewired my game.

I don’t play the way I used to.
I don’t move the way others do.
But I compete — intelligently, patiently, honestly.
This season at Badiwars, I’m the only para-badminton player on the circuit. I share the court with able-bodied players, face the same pressure, the same intensity, the same expectations.
And despite everything — limited training, a body that carries history, and pain that still shows up — I’ve qualified for the Season Finals.

That qualification means more to me than a medal ever could.
It means persistence works.
It means adaptation is powerful.
It means the game always gives back — if you refuse to walk away from it.
I’m not chasing perfection anymore.
I’m chasing presence.
And this season, just being here — competing, qualifying, belonging — feels like a win.

I’ll see you at the Finals.