Tokyo Paralympics gold-medallist Pramod Bhagat added another feather to his cap as the para shuttler won the gold medal at the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships. Bhagat defeated compatriot Nitesh Kumar in straight games to finish at the top of the podium. Manisha Ramadass brought the second gold medal for India as she defeated Mamiko Toyoda of Japan.
Taking the court first, Bhagat defeated compatriot Nitesh Kumar 21-19 21-19 in 53 minutes to clinch the gold medal in the men's singles SL3 event. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Manisha then capped a dream debut when she beat Mamiko Toyoda 21-15 21-15 to emerge champion in the women's singles SU5 category.
The doubles pair of Pramod Bhagat and Manoj Sarkar had to settle for a silver in the men's doubles SL3-SL4 event. The Indian duo squandered a game advantage to lose 21-14 18-21 13-21 against Hikmat Ramdani and Ukun Rukaendi of Indonesia.
The veteran shuttler expressed his happiness at bagging the gold medal. “This win is huge for me as I have been working very hard,” said Bhagat after winning gold in singles and silver in men’s doubles. “I am very happy with my performance in singles, in doubles we could have done better. This win is huge for me as I have been working very hard. This win tells me that I am moving in the right direction,” he added.
Notably, India ended its campaign with two gold, two silver and 12 bronze medals.