Indian Shuttlers Win Two Badminton Golds at Asian Para Games 2026
India’s para-badminton team celebrated a memorable day at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Nagoya on Friday, with Nitesh Kumar and Naveen Sivakumar winning men’s singles gold medals in the SL3 and SL4 categories. The victories highlighted the depth of India’s badminton talent, while a gold in women’s doubles and several silver-medal finishes added to the team’s strong showing.
Nitesh delivered a composed performance to defeat compatriot Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in the SL3 final. The matchup brought together two Paralympic gold medallists, raising the stakes in a contest between athletes with considerable experience on the biggest stages. Nitesh kept his focus through two closely fought games, edging the opening game before finding another gear to close out the match in straight games.
Nitesh turns a past disappointment into gold
The victory held particular significance for Nitesh, who said he had come close to winning the title at the previous edition. He recalled leading 19-16 in the third game before losing, making this year’s result especially satisfying. This time, he not only secured the gold but did so in two games against a formidable opponent.
“Very happy to win the Asian Games gold medal,” Nitesh said. “Last time I was close; I was leading 19-16 in the third set, and then I lost. So this time, winning it and again winning in two sets against Pramod is, of course, very special.” He described the achievement as a rare one, reflecting the difficulty of defeating a player of Bhagat’s calibre in a major final.
Nitesh’s win also underlined the importance of mental resilience in badminton. At the elite level, a small run of points can change a match, and the ability to recover from a painful previous defeat can be just as important as technical skill. His measured approach in the final showed how preparation and composure can help turn an earlier setback into a championship performance.
Naveen dominates the SL4 final
Naveen Sivakumar added a second men’s singles gold for India with an impressive win over Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan in the SL4 final. Naveen took the match 21-9, 21-17 in 36 minutes, controlling the opening game before facing a more determined challenge in the second.
The first game gave Naveen a strong platform, as he built an early advantage and kept Setiawan from settling into the contest. The Indonesian improved in the following game, but Naveen maintained his discipline and closed out the match without allowing the final to extend. His victory demonstrated a blend of attacking intent and control—qualities that are essential in high-pressure para-badminton competition.
Winning gold in both the SL3 and SL4 men’s singles events is a significant achievement for India. The classifications reflect different sport-specific impairments and competition requirements, and success across both categories points to the breadth of the country’s para-badminton programme. The results also give Indian players valuable momentum as they continue to compete on the international circuit.
Women’s doubles gold adds to India’s medal haul
India’s success was not limited to the men’s singles events. Thulasimathi Murugesan, who had already secured silver in the women’s singles SU5 event, teamed up with Manasi Joshi to win gold in the women’s doubles SL3-SU5 competition. The title provided a major boost to the Indian contingent and showcased the strength of the country’s players in the doubles format.
Doubles badminton demands close coordination, quick communication and the ability to adapt to a partner’s movement and strengths. For Murugesan and Joshi, the gold was a notable achievement in a tournament that tested players across multiple categories and formats. Murugesan’s success in both singles and doubles also reflected an impressive level of consistency over a demanding schedule.
Silver medals underline a strong overall campaign
Nitesh and Thulasimathi also reached the mixed doubles final, where they faced Indonesia’s Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani. The Indian pair won the second game to level the match, but the Indonesian team ultimately claimed the title 21-11, 19-21, 21-14. The three-game final was a demanding contest and added a mixed doubles silver to the Indian players’ medal tally.
In the women’s singles SH6 event, Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan earned silver after losing to China’s Li Fengmei 12-21, 13-21. Li controlled the match, but Sivan’s run to the final still marked a valuable result for India in a competitive field. Her medal contributed to a day that featured gold-medal performances as well as strong challenges in several finals.
The results from Nagoya offer a snapshot of the growing quality and reach of Indian para-badminton. Gold medals from Nitesh, Naveen, Murugesan and Joshi, alongside silver finishes for Murugesan, Nitesh and Sivan, showed the team’s ability to contend across singles and doubles events. For the athletes, the medals are both a reward for years of work and a platform for future international competition.
India’s badminton campaign at the Asian Para Games 2026 will also be remembered for its compelling matchups, including a final between two Paralympic champions and a mixed doubles contest decided in three games. As the tournament continues, the team’s performances in Nagoya are strengthening India’s reputation as a major force in para-badminton and offering fans plenty to celebrate.
