Nadda hails Nitesh & Thulasimathi's Silver at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda congratulated Indian para badminton pair Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan on winning Silver in Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5 at the 2026 Asian Para Games, improving on their Bronze from the 2022 edition.
Key Takeaways
Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan won Silver in Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5 at the 2026 Asian Para Games .
The pair upgraded from a Bronze medal they won in the same event at the 2022 Asian Para Games .
Union Health Minister J.
Nadda congratulated the duo on social media on 23 October 2026 .
Nitesh Kumar competes in the SL3 category (lower-limb impairment) and Thulasimathi Murugesan in the SU5 category (upper-limb impairment).
Para badminton has been one of India's most consistent medal-winning disciplines at Asian Para Games and Paralympic editions.
From bronze to silver — that is the arc Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan have traced across two editions of the Asian Para Games, and on Friday, 23 October 2026, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda made sure the nation paused to notice. The duo clinched the Silver medal in Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5 at the 2026 Asian Para Games, stepping up from the Bronze they had won at the same event in 2022.
A bronze upgraded, a journey extended
Four years ago, Kumar and Murugesan stood on the podium together for the first time at the 2022 Asian Para Games, taking Bronze in the Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5 category. This time, they went one rung higher. The progression is not just symbolic — in para badminton's classification system, SL3 covers players with lower-limb impairment, while SU5 covers those with upper-limb impairment, making mixed-doubles partnerships in this combination a genuine test of complementary skill sets and tactical co-ordination.
Nadda's congratulations and India's para sports momentum
Nadda wrote on X: 'NITESH & THULASIMATHI SHINE WITH SILVER!' — adding that the pair had 'added another significant achievement to their sporting journey' by upgrading their 2022 bronze. The ministerial shout-out reflects a broader pattern: India's investment in para sports infrastructure over the past decade has steadily translated into continental podium finishes, with badminton emerging as one of the country's most consistent medal-earning disciplines at both the Asian Para Games and Paralympic cycles.
Nitesh Kumar is a decorated name in Indian para badminton's SL3 circuit, while Thulasimathi Murugesan has built a strong reputation in the SU5 category. Together they represent the kind of cross-classification pairing that demands as much chemistry as athleticism.
What the silver means for the pair's next chapter
A silver at the Asian Para Games carries direct relevance beyond continental pride — performances here feed into world rankings and Paralympic qualification conversations. With the next Paralympic cycle on the horizon, the Nitesh–Thulasimathi partnership will be one to watch at upcoming BWF Para Badminton World Championships and international ranking events. They have already answered the hardest question in sport: can you come back better? The silver medal says yes.
Point of View
Where structured government support and international exposure have progressively lifted podium finishes. Nadda's public acknowledgement reflects how para sports visibility has become a deliberate part of India's sporting diplomacy and soft power. The medal upgrade from bronze to silver also signals that this partnership is maturing at the right time, with Paralympic qualification cycles increasingly competitive. Expect this duo to feature prominently in policy conversations around athlete support and para sports funding going forward.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan?
Nitesh Kumar is an Indian para badminton player in the SL3 classification (lower-limb impairment), and Thulasimathi Murugesan is an Indian para badminton player in the SU5 classification (upper-limb impairment). They compete together as a mixed doubles pair.
What medal did Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan win at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
They won Silver in the Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5 event at the 2026 Asian Para Games, improving on the Bronze they won at the 2022 Asian Para Games.
What is SL3–SU5 in para badminton?
SL3 refers to para badminton players with lower-limb impairment who play standing, while SU5 covers players with upper-limb impairment who also play standing. Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5 pairs one player from each category.
Why did J. P. Nadda congratulate Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan?
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda congratulated the pair on social media after they won the Silver medal in Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5 at the 2026 Asian Para Games on 23 October 2026.
What was India's para badminton result at the 2022 Asian Para Games?
Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan had won a Bronze medal in the Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5 category at the 2022 Asian Para Games, which they upgraded to Silver in 2026.
