New Delhi: There’s no stopping Pramod Bhagat as Odisha’s champion para badminton star continues to collect gold medals at will on the global stage.
On Sunday, the 37-year-old Pramod spearheaded India’s dominant show by securing gold in singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the Japan Para Badminton International 2025.
Pramod rallied from a shaky 17-21, 16-19 to outlast Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara 17-21, 21-19, 21-10 in an epic SL3 singles final that lasted an hour and 33 minutes.
In men’s doubles, Bhagat and compatriot Sukant Kadam defeated countrymen Jagadesh Dilli and Naveen Sivakumar 21-17, 18-21, 21-16.
Pramod went on to complete a golden hat-trick when he bagged the SL4-SU5 mixed doubles title with Manisha Ramdass, overcoming fellow-Indians Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan 21-19, 21-19.
It was the second time in as many months that Pramod had won triple gold in an international meet, following his feat at the China International in October.
“Winning three gold medals here in Japan 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. This victory gives me great motivation ahead of future tournaments,” Pramod said on Sunday.
It’s an even more remarkable achievement considering the fact that Pramod had been suspended for 18 months for breaching BWF’s anti-doping whereabouts clause last year, and returned to competition only in September.
Pramod apart, Tokyo Paralympic champion Krishna Nagar clinched with two golds (singles and mixed doubles), and Sukant Kadam won gold in men’s doubles and a silver in singles.
India’s other medal winners included Mandeep Kaur, Neeraj, Manasi Joshi-Thulasimathi Murugesan, Neeraj-Arati, Sanjana Kumari-Shanthiya, Manasi Joshi-Ruthick Raghupati, Surya Kant, Thulasimathi, Manisha Ramadass, Shanthiya, Hardik Makkar-Ruthick Raghupati and Nithya Sree.
