Prem Kumar Ale, born on 26th September 1987 is an ex-army soldier who met with an accident on duty in 2009. In this accident, he suffered severe spinal cord injuries. Later he was diagnosed to be a Paraplegic having a T12 level spinal injury and he lost all control and mobility in his lower half of the body. He had to rely on a wheelchair even for basic day-to-day tasks.
He started his Para-Badminton carrier in December 2013. With his determination and hard work and the undying spirit of a soldier, he overcame all difficulties. He made his International debut and represented India on the International stage within a year in 2014.
Currently, he is ranked 6th in Men's Doubles, 9th in Mixed Singles, and 15th in Men's Doubles on the Badminton World Federation Para-Badminton Ranking list.
In 2018, he became the National champion of Men's Singles and Men's Doubles (with his doubles partner Abu Hubaida).
In 2019, Prem Kumar Ale pulled off the biggest shock of the day when he defeated top seed Thomas Wandschneider in three games to progress into the quarter-finals of the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships. Ale, who was a semi-finalist at the Uganda 2019 International, made a comeback after losing the first game 18-21 to the former bronze medallist German and World No. 2 in men's singles wheelchair WH1 event.
“I knew Thomas is a strong player so I tried not to make mistakes and give him points,” Ale said” The plan worked. My target is to win a gold at this World Championships and then at the Paralympics.” Ale Added.
Ale took the next two games to close it down at 18-21, 21-15, 21-18 for the biggest win of his career. Being an ex-Army man, Ale rode on his impeccable fitness and an all-around game, where he used all the corners to pick up points.
Since then it has been a journey where he has never looked back and has kept on pushing forward achieving new milestones.
He also won a gold medal at the Para-Badminton International Dubai tournament in 2021. He stays at Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre in Pune. Currently, he is training under Dronacharya Awardee and Head National Para-Badminton coach Shri Gaurav Khanna at GKEBA, Lucknow and stays at Drona Paralympic House there.
Achievements:
Gold Medal (Mixed Doubles) - Peru Para Badminton International 2020.
Gold Medal (Mixed Doubles) - Dubai Para Badminton International 2021.
Silver Medal (Men's Doubles) - Uganda Para Badminton International 2021.
Silver Medal (Men's Doubles) - Dubai Para Badminton International 2021.
Silver Medal (Mixed Doubles) - Brazil Para Badminton International 2021.
Bronze Medal (Men's Singles) - Uganda Para Badminton International 2019.
Bronze Medal (Men's Doubles)- Spanish Para Badminton International 2015.
Bronze Medal (Men's Doubles)- Spanish Para Badminton International 2015.
Bronze Medal (Men's Singles) - Uganda Para Badminton International 2021.
Bronze Medal (Men's Doubles) - Spanish Para Badminton International II 2022.
Bronze Medal (Men's Doubles) - IBEREDROLA Spanish Para Badminton International I 2022.