India Assures Multiple Medals in Asian Para Games Badminton
India’s para badminton team continued its strong run at the Asian Para Games on Tuesday, with world champion Pramod Bhagat and Paralympic gold-medallist Kumar Nitesh reaching the men’s singles SL3 semifinals. Their progress guarantees India another medal in the event, while victories across several classifications strengthened the country’s overall challenge in badminton.
Bhagat, a long-time presence on the Asian Para Games podium, extended his remarkable record by defeating Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara in straight games at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium. The Indian controlled the quarterfinal from the outset, winning 21-12, 21-10. He will meet Korea’s Lee Seunghu in Thursday’s semifinal, with a place in the final at stake.
The result puts Bhagat in line to claim a medal at a fifth consecutive Para Asiad. His experience and consistency make him one of India’s leading contenders in the SL3 category, where athletes have lower-limb impairments that can affect their balance and ability to walk or run. The classification demands sharp movement, careful positioning and strong control of the court—qualities Bhagat displayed throughout his quarterfinal.
Nitesh wins all-Indian quarterfinal
Nitesh also booked his place in the last four with a commanding performance against fellow Indian Vikram Kumar. He won 21-8, 21-8, setting up a semifinal against Indonesia’s Al Muh Imran. With both Indian players now one win away from the final, the men’s singles SL3 competition could produce an all-Indian gold-medal match if Bhagat and Nitesh each prevail.
Such a final would guarantee India the top two places in the event and underline the depth of its para badminton programme. The semifinal pairings, however, present separate challenges: Bhagat must contend with Korea’s Lee, while Nitesh faces Indonesia’s Imran. Both will need to maintain the focus and attacking intent that carried them through the quarterfinals.
Mixed doubles and SH6 players reach semifinals
Bhagat added to India’s medal prospects in mixed doubles, partnering Manisha Ramdass in the SL3-SU5 event. The Indian pair defeated Thailand’s Siripong Teamarrom and Chanida Srinavakul 21-15, 21-14 in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. Mixed doubles SL3-SU5 brings together players from two different classifications, combining athletes with lower-limb impairments and athletes in the SU5 category.
India also secured a semifinal place in the SH6 mixed doubles event through Krishna Nagar and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan. They beat Chinese Taipei’s Wu Yu-yen and Lin Jia-siang 21-15, 21-10 to finish second in Group A and qualify for the last four. SH6 is for athletes with short stature, including players whose height is affected by conditions such as achondroplasia or other genetic variations.
Nitesh and Thulasimathi Murugesan are also assured of a medal in mixed doubles SL3-SU5 after receiving a bye into the semifinals. Their direct passage to the last four gives the Indian pair an opportunity to prepare for a medal match without having to play a quarterfinal, adding another promising storyline to India’s badminton campaign.
Sanjana advances, while Nagar faces a setback
In women’s singles SL3, Sanjana Kumari moved into the semifinals after a straight-games win over China’s Liu Yuemei. Sanjana took the first game 21-19 in a closely contested battle before pulling away to win the second 21-12. Her result adds another medal opportunity for India and reflects the team’s strength across both men’s and women’s events.
There was disappointment in men’s singles SH6, where former Paralympic gold-medallist Krishna Nagar was eliminated by Thailand’s Meechai Natthapong. Nagar fought back to take the second game 21-19 after losing the opener 15-21, but Meechai secured the deciding game 21-17. The loss ended Nagar’s singles campaign, though he had already reached the mixed doubles semifinals with Nithya.
More Indian players advance in singles
India’s progress continued in men’s singles SL4. Abhijeet Sakhuja defeated China’s Chen Pengfei 21-8, 21-12 to reach the quarterfinals, where he is set to face compatriot Surya Kant Yadav. Yadav received a bye into the last eight, ensuring that at least one Indian will feature in the SL4 semifinals.
Defending champion Suhas L.Y. also advanced after a decisive 21-5, 21-7 victory over Thailand’s Teamarrom Siripong. The two-time Paralympic silver-medallist will next take on Korea’s Cho Nadan. Suhas’s experience in major competitions will be important as he looks to defend his title and keep India’s medal tally growing.
In the men’s singles SU5 round of 16, Hardik Makkar defeated Indonesia’s Nugroho Suryo 21-18, 21-12. The win kept Makkar’s campaign alive and added to a day in which Indian players recorded important results across multiple para badminton classifications.
India’s medal prospects gather momentum
Tuesday’s results gave India a broad platform for the remaining rounds, with semifinalists and quarterfinalists emerging in singles and doubles. The confirmed medal opportunities are especially significant because reaching the semifinals guarantees a place on the podium in the tournament format. At the same time, the team will be aiming for more than medals, with several players still in contention for finals and championship titles.
For badminton fans, the prospect of an all-Indian SL3 final stands out, while Bhagat’s bid for a fifth consecutive Para Asiad medal and Suhas’s title defence add further intrigue. India’s athletes will now look to turn a productive day into a strong finish, as the semifinals bring tougher opponents and the chance to convert their progress into gold.
