Indian players delivered a strong showing at the Japan Para Badminton International 2025, clinching more than half a dozen golds. Pramod Bhagat, who swept three gold medals, led the charge while Krishna Nagar and Sukant Kadam added to India’s dominance with multiple podium finishes.
Pramod Bhagat, a Paralympic gold medallist and one of India’s most decorated para shuttlers, emerged as the standout performer in the SL3 category, securing titles in men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
In the men’s singles final, Bhagat displayed exceptional grit to script a remarkable comeback against Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara. After losing the opening game 17–21 and trailing 16–19 in the second, the Indian ace rallied to level the match and then dominated the decider for a 17–21, 21–19, 21–10 victory in an intense contest lasting one hour and 33 minutes.
Partnering Sukant Kadam, Bhagat went on to claim the men’s doubles (SL3–SL4) gold after a hard-fought 21–17, 18–21, 21–16 win over compatriots Jagadesh Dilli and Naveen Sivakumar. He completed his golden hat-trick with a triumph in mixed doubles (SL4–SU5), pairing with Manisha Ramdass to defeat fellow Indians Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan 21–19, 21–19.
“Winning three golds here means a lot. It’s always special to perform in a country that appreciates para badminton so deeply. Each match tested me mentally and physically, and I’m proud of how I handled the pressure,” Bhagat said after his victory.
Tokyo Paralympics champion Krishna Nagar continued his fine form, bagging two gold medals- in men’s singles (SH6) and mixed doubles. In the singles final, Nagar overcame the USA’s Miles Krajewski 22–20, 21–13, before teaming up with Nithya Sre to win the mixed doubles crown. “I had to dig deep, especially in the singles final,” Nagar said.
Sukant Kadam also had a strong outing, securing gold in men’s doubles with Bhagat and silver in men’s singles (SL4), where he went down to fellow Indian Naveen Sivakumar in a spirited contest.
India’s medal tally was further bolstered by several other standout performances.
In women’s SL3, Mandeep Kaur and Neeraj won silver and bronze, respectively. Mansi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan clinched gold in women’s doubles (SL3–SU5), while Neeraj–Arati and Sanjana Kumari–Shanthiya bagged bronze.
Manasi Joshi and Ruthick Raghupati added a bronze in mixed doubles (SL3–SU5), and Surya Kant earned bronze in men’s SL4.
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In the women’s SU5 category, India swept the podium, with Thulasimathi, Manisha Ramdass, and Shanthiya winning gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. Hardik Makkar and Ruthick Raghupati won silver in men’s doubles (SU5), while Nithya Sre capped off India’s campaign with gold in women’s singles (SH6).
With multiple titles across categories, India reaffirmed its position as a global powerhouse in para badminton, finishing the tournament with a glittering medal haul and several all-Indian finals showcasing the country’s growing depth in the sport.
