India’s Para-Badminton Team Secures Multiple Medals at the Asian Para Games
India’s badminton campaign at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya delivered a mix of dramatic victories, hard-fought defeats and promising gold-medal opportunities. Thulasimathi Murugesan and Nitesh Kumar led the headlines by reaching the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 final, while several Indian players and pairs secured bronze medals across the competition.
The results left India assured of at least five bronze medals and one silver in badminton, with further chances to add to the tally in the finals. For the team, the day highlighted both the depth of India’s para-badminton programme and the fine margins that separate a place in a final from a podium finish.
Thulasimathi and Nitesh Rally to Reach the Mixed Doubles Final
Thulasimathi and Nitesh earned their place in the gold-medal match with a tense three-game win over China’s Li Mingpan and Xiao Zuxian at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium. The Indian pair prevailed 21-19, 14-21, 21-17 in a 42-minute semifinal that featured momentum swings and pressure points throughout.
India took the opening game by a narrow margin, but the Chinese duo responded strongly in the second, forcing a decider. Thulasimathi and Nitesh steadied their play in the final game, recovering their rhythm and building an important lead before the closing exchanges.
“We are very happy. It’s just that we have to focus on our next game,” Thulasimathi said after the victory, underlining the pair’s determination to keep their attention on the final rather than dwell on the semifinal result.
Nitesh said familiarity with their opponents helped the Indians plan their approach, although a spell of errors briefly disrupted their momentum. The pair, he explained, regained control at the start of the third game. A useful advantage when the players changed ends gave them extra confidence as the match entered its decisive phase.
Thulasimathi and Nitesh will now face Indonesia’s Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani for gold. The Indonesian pair ended India’s hopes of an all-Indian final by defeating Manisha Ramdass and Pramod Bhagat 16-21, 21-13, 21-17 in the other semifinal. Manisha and Pramod take home bronze after a contest in which they won the first game but could not maintain their advantage.
Suhas LY and Naveen Sivakumar Make Their Mark in Men’s Singles
In the men’s singles SL4 semifinal, Tokyo Paralympics silver-medallist and defending champion Suhas LY was beaten by Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan. Suhas took the opening game 23-21, but Setiawan levelled the match with a decisive 21-8 second game and then claimed the decider 21-15.
The loss brought Suhas’s campaign to a close with a bronze medal. He said he was disappointed, particularly because he had beaten Setiawan in their group-stage meeting and had hoped to repeat that result in the semifinal. His comments reflected the competitive standards he sets for himself, even as he added another international podium finish to his record.
India will nevertheless have a representative in the SL4 final. Naveen Sivakumar produced a composed performance to defeat compatriot Abhijeet Sakhuja 21-13, 21-15. The win secured Naveen a place in the final at his first Asian Games.
“I’m very proud because this is my first Asian Games and I’ve reached the final,” Naveen said. He also noted that getting off to a strong start was important: unlike his usual pattern of conceding several early points, he began confidently and maintained that advantage through the match.
Elsewhere in the men’s singles competition, Nitesh remains in contention for another final. He is scheduled to face Indonesia’s Muh Al Imran in the SL3 semifinal, giving him an opportunity to add an individual medal to his mixed doubles success.
More Bronze Medals for India in Mixed Doubles and Women’s Singles
India’s Krishna Nagar and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan secured bronze in mixed doubles SH6 after losing 21-14, 21-18 to Indonesia’s Rina Marlina and Subhan. Krishna also earned a silver medal in the men’s doubles, adding to the Indian team’s overall medal contribution in badminton.
Sanjana Kumari likewise finished with bronze after her women’s singles SL3 semifinal ended in a 21-7, 21-9 defeat to Japan’s Shino Kawai. While the scoreline was one-sided, reaching the semifinal ensured Sanjana a place on the podium in a demanding field.
India still has a significant women’s doubles opportunity. Thulasimathi and Manasi Joshi will meet China’s Yang Qiuxia and Xiao Zuxian in the SL3-SU5 gold-medal match on Friday. Thulasimathi’s place in two finals makes her one of the central figures in India’s closing badminton events, with the prospect of competing for gold in both mixed and women’s doubles.
Finals Offer India a Chance to Build on Its Medal Haul
The day’s results showed the breadth of India’s para-badminton campaign: established performers such as Suhas and Krishna added to their medal records, while first-time Asian Games finalist Naveen announced himself on a major stage. The close semifinal contests also demonstrated how tactical adjustments, control of unforced errors and confidence during decisive points can shape outcomes at this level.
With Thulasimathi and Nitesh targeting mixed doubles gold, Thulasimathi and Manasi preparing for their women’s doubles final, and Nitesh still chasing a place in the men’s singles final, India’s badminton schedule remains full of medal possibilities. The team has already secured a strong collection of podium finishes, but its campaign in Nagoya is not over: several players still have the chance to turn a promising run into gold.
