[Watch] Odisha’s Pride Pramod Bhagat Claims Record 5th World Para Badminton Crown

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s pride Pramod Bhagat continues to write more golden chapters in his glittering career.

The 35-year-old Bhagat battled past Englishman Daniel Bethell to win the men’s SL3 singles title in the BWF Para Badminton World Championship for the third straight time, and fifth overall – both first-time achievements.

Bhagat earlier lifted the World Para Championships in 2009, 2015, 2019 and 2022.

Bhagat lost the first game but kept fighting to eke out a 14-21, 21-15, 21-14 victory in Pattaya, Thailand. In what must have been one of his hardest fought triumphs, Bhagat took and hour and 40 minutes to master his British opponent.

Watch the video clip of Bhagat’s winning moment:

“This win holds a very special place in my heart for various reasons… I have managed to equal my idol Lin Dan’s record of five World Championship titles and I was also able to retain the title three consecutive times,” Bhagat said after the match.

Chinese superstar Lin lifted World championship titles 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013.

The singles gold apart, Bhagat won bronze in men’s doubles with Sukant Kadam and also another bronze in mixed doubles with Manish Ramdass.