Indian para-badminton players showcased a phenomenal display of talent and dominance at the Australian Para Badminton International 2025, topping the medals chart. The highlight of the event was Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat, who brilliantly clinched two gold medals, further cementing his status as a leading figure in the sport. Fellow shuttler Sukant Kadam also contributed significantly, earning one gold and one silver medal for the nation.
Bhagat’s first gold came in the men’s singles SL3 category, where he triumphed over his compatriot Manoj Sarkar with a score of 21–15, 21–17 in a fiercely contested final. He then partnered with Sukant Kadam to secure their second gold in the men’s doubles SL3–SL4 division, overcoming the Indian duo of Umesh Vikram Kumar and Surya Kant Yadav in a thrilling match that ended 21–11, 19–21, 21–18.
Reflecting on his victories, Bhagat expressed his joy: “Winning two gold medals here in Australia is truly special. The final against Manoj was particularly challenging; we know each other’s game inside out, making every rally a test of skill. I’m also incredibly proud of Manoj for his silver. It’s inspiring to see Indian athletes excelling on the global stage.”
While Bhagat celebrated double gold, Sukant Kadam earned a silver medal in the men’s singles SL4 category after a hard-fought battle against Surya Kant, losing 21–23, 21–14, 19–21.
India’s exceptional run didn’t stop there. Manasi Joshi added two more gold medals to the tally, winning both the women’s singles SL3 and the mixed doubles SL3–SU5 alongside Ruthick Ragupathi. Ruthick also partnered with Chirag Baretha to secure the men’s doubles SU5 title.
Further contributions came from Sivarajan Solaimalai and Sudarshan Muthuswamy, who achieved gold and silver respectively in the men’s doubles SH6 event. Yashodhan Ravankole and Dheeraj Saini clinched the men’s doubles SU5 gold, while Sarumathi emerged victorious in the women’s singles SL4 + SU5 title match against Australia’s Zashka Gunson.
This impressive all-around performance by India truly underscores its growing prominence and strength in the world of para-badminton, setting an exciting precedent for upcoming international circuit events.