Indian Para Badminton Stars Shine at Japan Para Badminton International 2026

Indian para badminton athletes excelled at the Japan Para Badminton International 2026, with Pramod Bhagat winning gold in Men's Singles SL3 and Sukant Kadam achieving a remarkable 100 career medals. The tournament showcased India's growing strength in para badminton, with several athletes securing podium finishes across various categories. Bhagat's impressive performance and Kadam's milestone highlight the dedication and talent of these athletes on the international stage. Read on to discover more about their achievements and the overall success of the Indian team.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 13, 2026, 19:38 IST

Outstanding Performances by Indian Athletes

At the Japan Para Badminton International 2026, Indian para badminton athletes Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam delivered remarkable performances. Pramod secured two medals: a gold in Men's Singles SL3 and a silver in Men's Doubles SL3-SU5. Meanwhile, Sukant celebrated a significant milestone by achieving his 100th career medal during the tournament. India's overall performance highlighted its growing prowess in the international para badminton arena.

Pramod Bhagat's Impressive Gold Medal Win

In the Men's Singles SL3 final, Pramod Bhagat showcased his skills by defeating fellow Indian U Kumar with scores of 21-16, 21-08 in just 30 minutes. U Kumar initially took a five-point lead, but Pramod's experience allowed him to regain control and maintain his advantage throughout the match. The second game saw Pramod dominate from the start, securing the gold medal with ease.

Reflections from Pramod Bhagat

Pramod expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, "I am very happy to finish the tournament with a gold and a silver. The singles final was challenging, especially after U Kumar got the early lead, but I stayed patient and focused on my game. Once I found my rhythm, I was able to take control. The doubles result was not what we wanted, but I am proud of the fight we showed. Every international tournament is an opportunity to learn and improve, and I will take the positives from Japan."

Sukant Kadam's Milestone and Doubles Silver

Pramod teamed up with Sukant Kadam in the Men's Doubles SL3-SU5, where they earned a silver medal. They faced the Indonesian duo of Hikmat Ramdani and Fredy Setiawan in the final. The Indonesian pair dominated the first game, winning 21-05, and although Pramod and Sukant put up a stronger fight in the second game, they ultimately lost 21-05, 21-15.

For Sukant, this tournament was particularly significant as it marked his 100th career medal in 12 years of competitive badminton. He also secured a silver medal in the Men's Singles SL4 category, where he faced France's Lucas Mazur. Despite a strong challenge in the second game, Sukant lost the match 21-08, 21-16.

Sukant Kadam's Thoughts on His Achievement

Sukant shared his feelings about reaching this milestone, saying, "Reaching 100 career medals is a very special moment for me. When I started playing para badminton 12 years ago, I never imagined that I would reach this milestone. There have been many ups and downs, victories and defeats, but every match has taught me something. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. At the same time, I don't want to look at 100 as the finish line. It motivates me to keep working harder and aim for many more achievements for India."

India's Additional Medalists

India's strong performance continued with several athletes achieving podium finishes:

- Shashank Kumar – Bronze, Men's Singles WH1

- Shashank Kumar & Ammu Mohan – Bronze, Mixed Doubles WH1-WH2

- Deep Ranjan Bisoyee & Kuldeep Mahkul – Bronze, Men's Doubles SL3-SU5

- Takar Biri & Harshit Choudhary – Bronze, Men's Doubles SL3-SU5

- Abhijeet Sakhuja – Bronze, Men's Singles SL4

- Chirag Baretha & Wei Ming Tay (Singapore) – Gold, Men's Doubles SU5.