Two Indian para-badminton players climbed to the top of the podium on Friday, October 23, 2026 — and Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda was among the first to celebrate. Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Girishchandra Joshi claimed gold in the Women's Doubles SL3–SU5 category at the Asian Para Games 2026, delivering another landmark moment for Indian para-sport on the continental stage.

Nadda posted his congratulations on X, writing: 'Your dedication and fighting spirit have brought another moment of joy for India. Keep shining and inspiring!' The message reflects the broader culture of high-level ministerial recognition that India's para athletes have earned over the past decade of consistent podium performances at Asian and world-level events.

Thulasimathi and Manasi: two champions, one formidable pairing

Thulasimathi Murugesan competes in the SL3 classification, which covers athletes with lower-limb impairment who play standing. Manasi Girishchandra Joshi, one of India's most decorated para-badminton figures, has represented the country across multiple major international tournaments, building a reputation for her aggressive, relentless court craft. Together in the SL3–SU5 doubles format, the pair combined two distinct playing styles to outclass their opponents and secure gold.

India's deepening footprint in para-badminton

India's rise in para-badminton is not accidental. The country has steadily expanded its pipeline of athletes with disabilities across categories, backed by increased funding and structured training support from national sports bodies. At the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indian para-badminton players returned with multiple medals, setting a benchmark that successive squads have worked to surpass. The 2026 edition of the Asian Para Games continues that upward curve.

Para-badminton's global profile has also risen sharply since the sport made its Paralympic debut — a shift that brought greater institutional attention, coaching infrastructure, and media visibility to athletes like Thulasimathi and Manasi who once operated largely in the shadows of the mainstream circuit.

Why ministerial recognition matters off the court

Senior ministers publicly congratulating para athletes does more than headline a news cycle. It signals institutional endorsement, amplifies visibility for a discipline that still fights for mainstream airtime, and — crucially — sends a message to the next generation of young athletes with disabilities that their victories register at the highest levels of government. For a country where para-sport funding battles are perennial, that signal carries real weight.

Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Girishchandra Joshi have done more than win a gold medal — they have added their names to the growing ledger of Indian para athletes rewriting what is possible. The shuttle does not lie.