Pramod Bhagat wins sensational double gold at BWF Para Badminton World Championships in Bahrain

Bahrain hosted a historic performance in para badminton as India’s Pramod Bhagat secured a sensational double gold at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2026. Bhagat triumphed in both the Men’s Singles SL3 and the Men’s Doubles SL3–SL4 categories, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the sport.

A Sixth Singles Title

Pramod Bhagat defeated Indonesia’s Muhammad Al Imran in the Men’s Singles SL3 final with a score of 21–12, 21–18. This victory marked his sixth World Championship Gold in Singles and crucially, his fourth consecutive title in the event.

Did You Know? Pramod Bhagat’s six World Championship singles gold medals surpass the record previously held by Lin Dan, who won five.

Surpassing a Legend

With this win, Pramod Bhagat surpassed badminton legend Lin Dan, who had five World Championship gold medals in men’s singles. Bhagat reflected on the milestone, stating that Lin Dan has always been his idol and surpassing his record was a special moment. He dedicated the victory to his country, and supporters.

Doubles Success with Kadam

Bhagat’s success extended to the Men’s Doubles SL3–SL4 category, where he partnered with Sukant Kadam. The Indian duo defeated fellow Indians Jagadesh Dilli and Naveen Sivakumar 21–19, 21–16 in a closely contested final.

Kadam’s All-Around Performance

Sukant Kadam also enjoyed a successful championship, securing a bronze medal in Men’s Singles alongside the doubles gold. This demonstrates his consistency and versatility across different categories.

Expert Insight: Pramod Bhagat’s consistent performance across multiple championships highlights the dedication and rigorous training required to maintain peak form in para badminton, and sets a high standard for future athletes.

India’s Medal Haul

Krishna Nagar contributed to India’s medal tally with bronze medals in both the Men’s Singles SH6 category and Mixed Doubles, partnering with Nithya Sre. Prem Kumar Ale and Alphia James secured silver medals, marking India’s first-ever medal in the Wheelchair category at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships.

Further medals came from Kumar Nitesh (bronze in Men’s Singles SL3), Umesh Kumar and Surya Kant Yadav (bronze in Men’s Doubles SL3–SL4), Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan (bronze in Women’s Doubles SL3–SU5), Chirag Baretha and Mandeep Kaur (bronze in Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5), Naveen Sivakumar (silver in SL4), Manisha Ramdass (silver in Women’s Singles SU5), and Nithya Sre (silver in women’s singles).

What’s Next?

Following this impressive showing, Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam could continue their partnership, aiming to maintain their dominance in doubles competitions. Other Indian athletes may seek to build on their successes and strive for gold in future tournaments. This proves likely that the success in Bahrain will inspire greater participation and investment in para badminton within India.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many World Championship singles gold medals does Pramod Bhagat have?

Pramod Bhagat has six World Championship singles gold medals.

Who did Pramod Bhagat defeat in the Men’s Singles SL3 final?

Pramod Bhagat defeated Muhammad Al Imran of Indonesia in the Men’s Singles SL3 final.

What other medal did Sukant Kadam win at the championships?

Sukant Kadam won a bronze medal in Men’s Singles, in addition to the gold medal he won in Men’s Doubles with Pramod Bhagat.

With such a strong showing from the Indian team, what impact do you think this will have on the future of para badminton in the country?

Pramod Bhagat wins sensational double gold at BWF Para Badminton World Championships in Bahrain – Firstpost