Indian shuttlers exhibited their prowess at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2024, securing a total of 18 medals, including three gold, four silver, and 11 bronze, as the tournament concluded in Pattaya, Thailand on Sunday.
Leading the charge was Tokyo 2020 Paralympics silver medalist Suhas Yathiraj, who clinched gold in the men’s singles SL 4 category at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2024. Yathiraj’s stellar performance saw him triumph over Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan with a scoreline of 21-18, 21-8. Notably, Yathiraj upset Olympic champion and world No. 1 Lucas Mazur in the semi-finals, avenging his defeat from the Tokyo 2020 final.
Adding to India’s gold tally was Krishna Nagar, who emerged victorious in the men’s singles SH 6 category by defeating Naili Lin of the People’s Republic of China with a score of 22-20, 22-20.
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Pramod Bhagat secured gold in the men’s singles SL 3 event by defeating world No. 1 Daniel Bethell of England with a scoreline of 14-21, 21-15, 21-14. Bhagat’s triumph was complemented by bronze medals for Nitesh Kumar and Manoj Sarkar in the same category.
Noteworthy performances continued as Manisha Ramadass claimed silver in the women’s singles SU 5 category after a hard-fought match against Yang Qiuxia, settling for second place with a score of 21-16, 21-16 at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2024.
India’s silver medal tally was further bolstered by commendable performances in doubles events. Chirag Baretha and Rajkumar secured silver in the men’s doubles SU5 final, while Rachana Patel and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan showed resilience despite having to retire in their women’s doubles SH6 title decider.
In the women’s doubles SL 3 – SU 5 final, Manasi Girishchandra Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to the Indonesian duo Leani Ratri Oktila and Khalimatus Sadiyah Sukohandoko, settling for silver with a score of 22-20, 21-17.
