Bahrain witnessed a historic performance at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2026 as India’s Pramod Bhagat clinched a sensational double gold, adding to his already impressive legacy in the sport. The Odisha native secured his sixth World Championship singles title and, alongside Sukant Kadam, triumphed in the Men’s Doubles SL3–SL4 category, solidifying India’s dominance in para badminton.
Bhagat’s journey to gold began with a commanding victory over Indonesia’s Muhammad Al Imran in the Men’s Singles SL3 final, winning with a score of 21–12, 21–18. This win not only marked his fourth consecutive World Championship title in the singles event but also saw him surpass badminton legend Lin Dan’s record of five World Championship gold medals in men’s singles, a feat that underscores Bhagat’s remarkable achievements. The victory is a testament to years of dedication and hard work, cementing his place among the sport’s elite.
A Sixth Singles Title and a New Record
With this latest triumph, Pramod Bhagat’s World Championship Men’s Singles Gold Medal victories now stand at 2009, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2026 – an unprecedented tally of six gold medals in the marquee category. “Winning my sixth World Championship gold and fourth consecutive title is an emotional moment for me,” Bhagat said, reflecting on his milestone. “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.”
Doubles Glory with Sukant Kadam
Bhagat’s golden run extended to the Men’s Doubles SL3–SL4 category, where he partnered with Sukant Kadam to claim the gold medal. The Indian duo showcased exceptional teamwork and composure, defeating fellow Indians Jagadesh Dilli and Naveen Sivakumar in a high-intensity final with a score of 21–19, 21–16. This victory added another layer of success to Bhagat’s already remarkable performance at the championships.
Kadam also enjoyed a successful campaign, securing a bronze medal in Men’s Singles alongside his doubles gold. “Winning doubles gold with Pramod at the World Championships is a proud moment,” Kadam stated. “We’ve worked extremely hard to build our partnership, and delivering on the biggest stage is incredibly satisfying. Adding a singles bronze makes this campaign even more meaningful for me.”
India’s Medal Haul in Bahrain
The BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2026 saw a strong showing from the Indian contingent, with multiple athletes contributing to the medal tally. Krishna Nagar secured a double podium finish, claiming a bronze medal in Men’s Singles SH6 and another bronze in Mixed Doubles with Nithya Sre. Prem Kumar Ale and Alphia James made history by winning a silver medal, marking India’s first-ever medal in the Wheelchair category at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships. Kumar Nitesh added a bronze in Men’s Singles SL3, while Umesh Kumar and Surya Kant Yadav secured bronze in Men’s Doubles SL3–SL4.
In the women’s events, Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan won bronze in Women’s Doubles SL3–SU5, and Chirag Baretha and Mandeep Kaur secured bronze in Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5. Naveen Sivakumar clinched silver in SL4, Manisha Ramdass won silver in Women’s Singles SU5, and Nithya Sre added another silver in women’s singles, capping off a memorable campaign for the Indian team.
With this impressive performance, India has once again demonstrated its growing strength and depth in para badminton on the global stage. The success in Bahrain underscores the dedication and talent within the Indian para badminton program and sets a strong foundation for future competitions.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on building upon this momentum and continuing to support para athletes in their pursuit of excellence. The achievements at the 2026 World Championships serve as an inspiration for aspiring para badminton players in India and around the world.
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