Pramod Bhagat’s Triple Gold Comeback Powers India’s Para Badminton Rise

Pramod Bhagat, the Odisha-born para badminton sensation who contracted polio at age four and rose to become a Paralympic gold medalist, has scripted yet another chapter of resilience and dominance. At the inaugural ABIA Para Badminton International in Abia, Nigeria—from September 30 to October 5—the 37-year-old clinched a staggering three gold medals, reaffirming his status as India's most decorated para shuttler with over 45 international medals, including four World Championship golds and a historic Tokyo 2020 Paralympic triumph in men's singles SL3. Having missed the Paris Paralympics due to an 18-month ban for three whereabouts failures—lifted just last month—Bhagat wasted no time, channeling his trademark composure and tactical brilliance to dazzle on the court.

In the men's singles SL3 final, Bhagat faced a stern test from compatriot Mantu Kumar, overcoming a mid-match setback to secure a 21-7, 9-21, 21-9 victory. Dropping the second game only fueled his recovery, as he unleashed precise smashes and unerring net play to seal the title, echoing the grit that earned him the Arjuna Award and world No. 1 ranking.

Transitioning seamlessly to doubles, Bhagat paired with Sukant Kadam to dominate the men's doubles category, dispatching Peru's Gerson Jair Vargas Lostaunau and Diana Rojas Golac 21-13, 21-17 in a clinical display of synergy and aggressive baseline control. Kadam later praised their growing on-court chemistry: "Playing alongside Pramod always pushes me to bring my best game. Our understanding has grown stronger with every match. This win gives us great confidence for upcoming international events."

Bhagat's haul culminated in mixed doubles glory (SL3-SU5), where he teamed up with Arati Patil for a hard-fought final win, showcasing his versatility across formats. "Every victory motivates me to push my limits further. Competing at this level and bringing glory to India is always special. I’m proud of the hard work and the support team behind these wins," Bhagat reflected in a post-tournament release. His recent golden comeback at the China Para Badminton International—his first event post-ban—had already hinted at this form, but the triple triumph in Nigeria underscores a renewed hunger, positioning him as a frontrunner for future majors.

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India's medal rush extended beyond Bhagat's heroics, with Ranjit Singh claiming three bronzes in men's singles WH1, men's doubles WH1-WH2 (with Paramjit Singh), and mixed doubles WH1-WH2 (with Shabana). Nurul Hossain Khan earned silver in men's singles WH2, while Uma Sarkar secured silver in women's singles SL3 and bronze in women's doubles SL3-SU5 (with Arati). Additional bronzes went to Nilesh Gaikwad (men's SL4) and Kanak Singh Jadaun (women's SL4), capped by a clean sweep in men's singles SU5—gold for Karan Paneer, silver for Rahul Vimal, and bronze for Sativada.

This dominant performance signals India's rising prowess in para badminton, blending individual brilliance with team spirit to inspire a new generation.

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