Nadda hails Thulasimathi's silver in Asian Para Games badminton
Synopsis
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda praised para-badminton player Thulasimathi Murugesan after she claimed silver in Women's Singles SU5 at the Asian Para Games 2026, highlighting her determination and consistency on the continental stage.
Key Takeaways
Thulasimathi Murugesan won silver in Women's Singles SU5 para-badminton at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
The SU5 category caters to athletes with upper limb impairments, making the achievement particularly demanding.
Union Health Minister J.
Nadda publicly congratulated her, calling the performance 'remarkable' and 'commendable'.
India won 111 medals at the previous edition of the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou in 2022 .
Indian para-badminton has shown consistent improvement following expanded domestic training support since the 2010s.
The result adds momentum to India's 2028 Paralympic Games preparations in para-badminton.
A silver medal, a continental stage, and a name that deserves to be heard across India — Thulasimathi Murugesan delivered a standout performance in Women's Singles SU5 para-badminton at the Asian Para Games 2026, drawing congratulations from Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda on Friday, 23 October 2026.
Thulasimathi's SU5 silver: what the classification means
Competing in the SU5 category — reserved for players with upper limb impairments — Thulasimathi operates under a set of physical constraints that make every cross-court winner and net drop a testament to technique over raw power. The SU5 classification is one of the most technically demanding in para-badminton, demanding exceptional footwork and court sense to compensate for the limb difference. Her silver at a continental championship signals that she belongs among Asia's best.
India's climbing arc in para-badminton
This result fits neatly into a wider, documented rise. India took 111 medals at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, with para-badminton contributing a meaningful share to that haul. Expanded domestic training programmes and consistent international exposure since the 2010s have steadily lifted the quality of Indian para-shuttlers, turning podium finishes from surprises into expectations. Thulasimathi's silver is not an outlier — it is part of a pattern.
Why a Health Minister's congratulations carry extra weight
Nadda's acknowledgement, framed around 'determination and consistency', goes beyond courtesy. India's public health and sports inclusion agenda has increasingly treated para-athlete visibility as a policy signal — a marker of how seriously the country takes disability sports beyond the Paralympic cycle. When a cabinet minister with national-party leadership amplifies an individual para-sports result, it nudges media attention, sponsor interest, and future selection budgets in the athlete's direction. For Thulasimathi Murugesan, a congratulatory post from that level of government is, in practical terms, a spotlight.
With the 2028 Paralympic Games on the horizon, every continental medal now doubles as a qualification conversation. India's para-badminton ecosystem will be watching closely to see whether today's silver accelerates her preparation for Los Angeles.
Point of View
The cabinet-level spotlight converts a sporting result into a policy moment, potentially unlocking greater institutional support. The silver also reinforces the trajectory that saw India amass 111 medals at Hangzhou in 2022, suggesting the country's para-sports machinery is maturing rather than peaking. The real test will be whether this continental consistency translates into Paralympic hardware at Los Angeles 2028.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Thulasimathi Murugesan?
Thulasimathi Murugesan is an Indian para-badminton player who competes in the SU5 classification, which is designated for athletes with upper limb impairments. She won silver in Women's Singles SU5 at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the SU5 classification in para-badminton?
SU5 is a para-badminton category for players with upper limb impairments, requiring athletes to rely heavily on footwork, positioning, and technique to compete at the highest level.
What did JP Nadda say about Thulasimathi Murugesan?
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda extended his 'heartiest wishes' to Thulasimathi, describing her performance as 'remarkable' and noting her 'determination and consistency' on the continental stage.
How has India performed at past Asian Para Games?
India won 111 medals at the 2022 Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China, reflecting steady growth in the country's overall para-sports programme.
What is India's next major target in para-badminton?
India's para-badminton players, including Thulasimathi, are building towards the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles , where a strong continental track record can support qualification and medal ambitions.
