Asian Para Games 2026: Naveen, Nitesh win badminton gold; Nithya, Thulasi take silver
Synopsis
India's para badminton squad delivered a standout day in Nagoya — Naveen Sivakumar took SL3 gold while Nitesh Kumar beat fellow Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat in an all-India SL4 final. With Thulasimathi still in the running for two more golds in doubles, India's medal push at Aichi-Nagoya is far from over.
Key Takeaways
Naveen Sivakumar won gold in men's singles SL3 para badminton at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on 23 October .
Nitesh Kumar clinched gold in men's singles SL4 , defeating compatriot Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in an all-India final.
Pramod Bhagat was the defending two-time champion, having won gold in 2018 and 2022 .
Thulasi Murugesan and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan each won silver in their respective women's singles categories.
Thulasimathi still has two more finals to contest — in mixed doubles with Nitesh Kumar and in women's doubles with Manasi Girishchandra Joshi .
India arrived in Aichi-Nagoya after winning a record 111 medals at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Para Games.
India's Naveen Sivakumar and Nitesh Kumar claimed gold medals in the men's singles SL3 and SL4 categories respectively in para badminton at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on Friday, 23 October, adding to India's growing medal tally at the multi-sport event. The results underscored India's emerging dominance in para badminton at the continental level.
All-India Final in SL4: Nitesh Edges Pramod
Nitesh Kumar prevailed in a rare all-India final against celebrated compatriot Pramod Bhagat, defeating him 21-18, 21-16 in straight games. Pramod Bhagat had won gold in both the 2018 and 2022 editions of the Asian Para Games, making Nitesh's victory over a two-time continental champion all the more significant. Both players are Paralympic champions, giving the contest a heavyweight quality seldom seen outside international finals.
Thulasi and Nithya Settle for Silver
Thulasi Murugesan — also referred to as Thulasimathi in reports — finished with silver in the women's singles SU5 category after losing the final to China's Yang by scores of 21-18, 21-11. Meanwhile, Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan signed off with a silver in the women's singles SH6 final, going down to China's Li Fengmei 12-21, 13-21.
Thulasimathi Still in Contention for Two More Golds
Despite the singles defeat, Thulasimathi remains in the hunt for two additional gold medals. She is set to partner Nitesh Kumar in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 final against Indonesia's Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani. She will also compete alongside Manasi Girishchandra Joshi in the women's doubles SL3-SU5 final, where they face China's Yang Qiuxia and Xiao Zuxian.
Understanding the Para Badminton Categories
In para badminton, the SL3 category is for players with significant lower-limb impairments who compete on a half court, while SL4 covers athletes with lower-limb impairments who have better walking and running balance. SU5 is for players with upper-limb impairments, and SH6 is for athletes of short stature.
India's Broader Campaign at Aichi-Nagoya
India is competing across 11 sports at Aichi-Nagoya, fielding several Paralympic champions and medallists as leading contenders. The contingent arrives on the back of their best-ever Asian Para Games campaign at Hangzhou 2023, where Indian athletes won a record 111 medals — 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze — to finish fifth overall. The badminton results suggest India intends to build on that benchmark.
Point of View
An achievement that rarely receives the same spotlight as able-bodied sport. Nitesh Kumar defeating the legendary Pramod Bhagat is not just a medal story; it signals a generational shift at the top of Indian para sport. With Thulasimathi still in two more finals, the medal count could yet climb sharply — and India's goal of surpassing its Hangzhou tally looks credible if doubles results follow the singles template.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold for India in para badminton at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Naveen Sivakumar won gold in men's singles SL3 and Nitesh Kumar won gold in men's singles SL4 at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on 23 October. Nitesh defeated fellow Indian Pramod Bhagat in an all-India final, 21-18, 21-16.
Who is Pramod Bhagat and why is his defeat significant?
Pramod Bhagat is an Indian Paralympic champion who had won gold in the Asian Para Games in both 2018 and 2022. His defeat to compatriot Nitesh Kumar in the SL4 final marks the first time he has been beaten by a fellow Indian at this level.
Which Indian athletes won silver medals in para badminton?
Thulasi Murugesan (also referred to as Thulasimathi) won silver in women's singles SU5, losing to China's Yang, while Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan won silver in women's singles SH6, losing to China's Li Fengmei.
Is Thulasimathi still in contention for more medals?
Yes, Thulasimathi is still in the running for two gold medals. She will partner Nitesh Kumar in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 final against Indonesia's Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani, and play alongside Manasi Girishchandra Joshi in the women's doubles SL3-SU5 final against China.
How has India performed at the Asian Para Games historically?
India recorded its best-ever Asian Para Games campaign at Hangzhou 2023, winning 111 medals — 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze — to finish fifth overall. The country is competing across 11 sports at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
