The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are round the corner, and we look at the top stars in each category.

Here are the prominent names to look out for in the Standing Upper (SU5) class at Paris 2024, due to start Thursday 29 August 2024.

Cheah Liek Hou (Malaysia)

Few athletes can match the Malaysian’s longevity or prolific career. Having won his first World Championships gold in 2005, Cheah has continued his dominance over nearly two decades with eight singles world titles, and will be looking for his second Paralympics gold. He arrives in Paris on the back of another stellar season, having won every singles and doubles match, picking up four singles and three doubles titles, including two at the Para Badminton World Championships 2024.

Dheva Anrimusthi (Indonesia)

Silver medallist in singles at Tokyo 2020 and a double titlist at the Para Badminton World Championships 2019, the Indonesian is Cheah’s toughest competitor, holding a 7-8 career record against the Malaysian. Started the season well by making the singles final at the World Championships, but could not complete his two remaining tournaments, conceding a walkover in the final of the Bahrain PB International and in the group stage of the 4-Nations PB International in June.

Fang Jen Yu (Chinese Taipei)

Has had a great year so far, starting with a semifinal at the World Championships and then making three straight finals.

Yang Qiu Xia (China)

The reigning Paralympic champion has competed in only one tournament this year – the Para Badminton World Championships. She won the women’s singles without dropping a game in seven matches – her second World Championships gold after Basel 2019.

Manisha Ramadass (India)

In her nascent career – she is still only 19 – Ramadass has already achieved much to be proud of. She won the 2022 World Championships and was runner-up in this year’s edition; Ramadass has an overall haul of five medals, including two in women’s doubles and one in mixed. This year saw her win titles in Spain and Bahrain while making the finals of all five singles events she played in.

Thulasimathi Murugesan (India)

Has excelled in all three categories – singles, doubles and mixed. Perhaps her biggest achievement was winning the women’s singles gold at the Asian Para Games 2022 beating Paralympics champion Yang Qiu Xia on her opponent’s home soil; she was also doubles runner-up at the same event. Murugesan has had a profitable season so far, with a doubles silver at the World Championships, two mixed doubles titles, and two singles gold medals.

Maud Lefort (France)

Still in her teens, Lefort was European champion in singles and doubles (SL3-SU5) last year, and has a singles bronze from this year’s Para Badminton World Championships. Having made three semifinals this year, the 18-year-old will look to use home conditions to her advantage.

Also Read: Paris 2024: Wheelchair Stars to Watch