Mansi Joshi is an Indian para-badminton player who represents India in international competitions. She competes primarily in the SL3 classification, which is meant for athletes with lower-limb impairment who play on a half-width court. Joshi has been associated with the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, where she trains alongside other leading Indian para-shuttlers.
Key facts
| Full name | Mansi Joshi |
|---|---|
| Sport | Para-badminton |
| Classification | SL3 (standing lower limb impairment) |
| Country | India |
| Training base | Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad |
Background
Joshi was injured in a road accident as a young adult, which resulted in a permanent impairment of her leg. She was educated as an engineer and worked briefly in the information technology sector before turning to competitive sport. After taking up badminton during her recovery, she shifted to para-badminton at the national level and subsequently joined the structured coaching set-up in Hyderabad under Pullela Gopichand and para-badminton coach Gaurav Khanna.
Career
Joshi has competed on the BWF Para-Badminton World Circuit in women's singles and women's doubles events in the SL3 category. She has represented India at the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, where she has won a medal in the SL3 women's singles event, and has also featured in the Asian Para Games as part of the Indian contingent. In doubles, she has partnered other senior Indian players, including Manasi Joshi and Parul Parmar, in international tournaments.
Domestically, she has been a regular medallist at the National Para-Badminton Championships organised by the Paralympic Committee of India and has been part of the Indian squad at multi-nation events such as the Dubai Para-Badminton International, Spanish Para-Badminton International and the Thailand Para-Badminton International.
Playing style
Within the SL3 classification, Joshi is known for an attacking baseline game built around steep smashes and net play. The half-court format used in SL3 places a premium on accurate length and quick reflexes, both of which feature prominently in her game.
Significance
Joshi is part of a generation of Indian para-badminton players who have raised the country's profile in the sport since para-badminton's inclusion in the Paralympic programme from the Tokyo 2020 Games onwards. Along with players such as Pramod Bhagat, Krishna Nagar, Manasi Joshi and Palak Kohli, she represents India's deepening bench strength in para-shuttle disciplines.