India's renowned para badminton player, Pramod Bhagat, made history at the 2026 Badminton World Federation (BWF) Para Badminton World Championships held in Bahrain. He secured the gold medal in the men's singles SL3 category and followed it up with another gold in men's doubles SL3-SL4, marking a spectacular double victory.
In the men's singles SL3 final, Pramod showcased his skills by defeating Indonesia's Muhammad Al Imran with a score of 21-12, 21-18. This victory not only earned him his sixth World Championship Gold in Singles but also marked his fourth consecutive title, further establishing his legacy, as stated in a press release.
With this latest achievement, Pramod surpasses the legendary Lin Dan, who had five World Championship gold medals in men's singles, solidifying his status as one of the sport's most accomplished players. Pramod's gold medal victories in men's singles now include the years 2009, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2026, totaling six golds in this prestigious category.
Expressing his thoughts on this significant milestone, Pramod Bhagat remarked, "Winning my sixth World Championship gold and fourth consecutive title is an emotional moment for me. Lin Dan has always been my idol, and to surpass his record is truly special. Every medal represents years of hard work, sacrifice, and belief. To continue making history for India and raise the bar higher motivates me even more. I dedicate this victory to my country and everyone who has supported me throughout my journey."
Pramod's success extended into the men's doubles SL3-SL4 category, where he teamed up with Sukant Kadam to clinch the gold medal. The Indian pair triumphed over fellow countrymen Jagadesh Dilli and Naveen Sivakumar with scores of 21-19, 21-16 in a thrilling final, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and composure.
Sukant Kadam also had a rewarding championship, securing a bronze medal in Men's Singles, which highlighted his consistent performance across different categories. He stated, "Winning doubles gold with Pramod at the World Championships is a proud moment. We have worked extremely hard to build our partnership, and delivering on the biggest stage is very satisfying. Adding a singles bronze makes this campaign even more meaningful for me."
Krishna Nagar contributed to India's medal tally with an impressive double podium finish, earning a bronze medal in the men's Singles SH6 category and another bronze in Mixed Doubles alongside Nithya Sre. He expressed, "It's always an honour to represent India at the World Championships. Winning two medals is satisfying, but it also motivates me to push harder and aim for gold in the coming events."
With Pramod Bhagat's historic sixth singles gold and double crown, along with Sukant Kadam's gold and bronze medal performances, India has once again demonstrated its prowess in global para badminton at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2026.
India's medal tally spanned multiple categories, showcasing the country's growing strength in para badminton. Notably, Prem Kumar Ale and Alphia James won silver, marking India's first-ever medal in the Wheelchair category at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships, a significant milestone for the sport in the nation.
Kumar Nitesh secured bronze in men's singles SL3, while Umesh Kumar and Surya Kant Yadav achieved bronze in men's doubles SL3-SL4. In women's events, Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan earned bronze in women's doubles SL3-SU5, and Chirag Baretha and Mandeep Kaur secured bronze in mixed doubles SL3-SU5.
Additionally, Naveen Sivakumar won silver in SL4, Manisha Ramdass claimed silver in Women's Singles SU5, and Nithya Sre added another silver in women's singles, concluding a memorable campaign.
