Pramod Bhagat wins gold at Para-Badminton World Championships; equals Lin Dan's record for 5 titles
Indian para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat triumphed over England’s Daniel Bethell in the SL3 category at the NSDF Royal Beach Cliff BWF Para-Badminton World Championships 2024 in Thailand. Bhagat’s win marked a historic moment as he clinched his third consecutive gold medal in the World Championships, tying the record set by Chinese legend Lin Dan.
The intense final match between Bhagat and Bethell lasted for 1 hour and 40 minutes, showcasing their fierce rivalry. While Bhagat started strong, Bethell fought back to claim the first set. However, Bhagat’s tactical adjustments in the subsequent sets allowed him to secure victory, ultimately winning 21-14 in the decider.
Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Bhagat expressed, “This win holds a very special place in my heart for various reasons.” He highlighted the significance of equalling Lin Dan’s record and successfully defending his title for the third year in a row. Bhagat also clinched bronze medals in Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles at the event.
Additionally, Indian para-badminton player Sukant Kadam secured bronze medals in both Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles categories alongside Pramod Bhagat. In other results, Suhas Yathiraj and Krishna Nagar claimed gold in the SL4 and SL6 categories, respectively. However, Chirag Baretha and Raj Kumar faced defeat in the Men’s Doubles SU 5 category against Malaysia’s Muhammad Fareez Anuar and Cheah Liek Hou.
