Krishna Nagar wins French Para Badminton International 2026 gold, beats Paris champion Noakes
Synopsis
Krishna Nagar didn't just win gold in France — he beat the home favourite and reigning Paralympic champion Charles Noakes on his own turf, 21-19, 21-11. Combined with India's sweep of medals across nearly every category at the French Para Badminton International 2026, this is a statement of intent ahead of the next major para badminton cycle.
Key Takeaways
Krishna Nagar won Men's Singles SH6 gold at the French Para Badminton International 2026 on 22 June 2026 .
He defeated Paris Paralympics gold medallist Charles Noakes of France 21-19, 21-11 in the final.
Nagar also claimed two bronze medals — in Men's Doubles SH6 (with Sivarajan Solaimalai ) and Mixed Doubles SH6 (with Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan ).
Thulasimathi Murugesan , Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan , and Nitesh Kumar each won gold medals for India in their respective singles categories.
India collected medals across golds, silvers, and bronzes in nearly every category contested at the tournament.
Krishna Nagar, India's Paralympic gold medallist, delivered a commanding performance to clinch the Men's Singles SH6 title at the French Para Badminton International 2026 in France, defeating home favourite and Paris Paralympics gold medallist Charles Noakes of France in the final on 22 June 2026. The victory underlines Nagar's standing as one of para badminton's most formidable competitors on the international circuit.
How the Final Unfolded
The opening game was a tightly contested affair, with the lead exchanging hands multiple times before Nagar held his nerve to edge ahead 21-19. Competing against the home crowd's favourite, the Indian shuttler displayed exceptional tactical composure and patience throughout the first game.
Carrying that momentum into the second game, Nagar seized control from the outset — dictating the pace of rallies and denying Noakes any rhythm — to register a convincing 21-11 victory and seal the gold medal in straight games.
Nagar's Full Tournament Haul
Beyond the singles gold, Nagar had a productive tournament across disciplines. He partnered Sivarajan Solaimalai to finish third in the Men's Doubles SH6 category, and teamed up with Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan to claim bronze in the Mixed Doubles SH6 event, taking his total medal count at the tournament to three.
What Nagar Said
Speaking after his victory, Nagar said: 'It is always special to win a title against a strong opponent, especially a Paralympic champion playing in front of his home crowd. The first game was very competitive, but I stayed patient and trusted my preparation. I am happy with the way I executed my strategy and maintained my focus throughout the match. This victory gives me confidence and motivation as I continue preparing for the important tournaments ahead. I would like to thank my coaches, support staff, family and everyone who has supported me on this journey.'
India's Broader Medal Haul
India's para badminton contingent produced a sweep of podium finishes across categories. Thulasimathi Murugesan won the Women's Singles SU5 gold, Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan claimed gold in Women's Singles SH6, and Nitesh Kumar added another gold in the Men's Singles SL3 event.
On the silver front, Naveen Sivakumar finished runner-up in Men's Singles SL4. Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan won silver in Women's Doubles SL3-SU5, while Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramdass claimed silver in Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5.
India's bronze medal winners included Prem Kumar Ale (Men's Singles WH1), Alphia James (Women's Singles WH2), Pramod Bhagat (Men's Singles SL3), Bhagat and Sukant Kadam (Men's Doubles), Surya Kant Yadav (Men's Singles SL4), Ruthick Raghupati (Men's Singles SU5), and Manisha Ramdass (Women's Singles SU5). Ruchi Trivedi and Poland's Natalia Grzyb secured bronze in Women's Doubles WH1-WH2, Abu Hubaid and Pallavi Kaluvehalli finished third in Mixed Doubles WH1-WH2, Sanjana Kumari and Shanthiya Vishwanathan earned bronze in Women's Doubles SL3-SU5, and Nitesh Kumar along with Thulasimathi Murugesan claimed bronze in Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5.
The performance marks one of India's most comprehensive showings at an international para badminton event in recent memory, with the contingent collecting medals across nearly every category it competed in. With major tournaments on the horizon, the form displayed in France will provide significant confidence to the squad.
Point of View
And Nagar's 21-11 second game was a clinical dismantling, not a grind. What stands out is the breadth of India's performance: golds, silvers, and bronzes across wheelchair, standing, and short stature categories suggest a programme with genuine depth, not just one or two marquee names. The question now is whether this momentum translates when classification-specific draws get harder at the next Paralympic cycle's qualifying events.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Krishna Nagar defeat to win the French Para Badminton International 2026 gold?
Krishna Nagar defeated Charles Noakes of France, the reigning Paris Paralympics gold medallist, in the Men's Singles SH6 final. Nagar won 21-19 in the first game and 21-11 in the second to claim the title in straight games.
What is the French Para Badminton International 2026?
The French Para Badminton International 2026 is an international para badminton tournament held in France, featuring top para shuttlers across multiple disability categories including SH6, SL3, SU5, and wheelchair events.
How many medals did India win at the French Para Badminton International 2026?
India won multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals across categories. Gold medallists included Krishna Nagar (Men's Singles SH6), Thulasimathi Murugesan (Women's Singles SU5), Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan (Women's Singles SH6), and Nitesh Kumar (Men's Singles SL3), among other podium finishes.
What other medals did Krishna Nagar win at the tournament?
In addition to his singles gold, Nagar won two bronze medals — one in Men's Doubles SH6 partnering Sivarajan Solaimalai, and another in Mixed Doubles SH6 alongside Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan.
What did Krishna Nagar say after winning the gold medal?
Nagar said it was 'always special to win a title against a strong opponent, especially a Paralympic champion playing in front of his home crowd.' He credited his patience, preparation, and strategy, and said the victory gives him 'confidence and motivation' for upcoming tournaments.
