Para Asian Games 2026: Nitesh, Thulasimathi win silver in badminton mixed doubles SL3-SU5
Synopsis
Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan went agonisingly close to mixed doubles gold at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, winning the first game before Indonesia clawed back to win 21-11, 19-21, 14-21. In an extraordinary day for Indian para badminton, Nitesh also won gold in a historic all-India SL4 men's singles final over two-time champion Pramod Bhagat.
Key Takeaways
Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan won silver in Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on 23 October 2026 .
The Indian pair lost 21-11, 19-21, 14-21 to Indonesia's Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani in the final.
Nitesh Kumar claimed gold in Men's Singles SL4 , beating compatriot Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in an all-India final.
Thulasimathi also lost the Women's Singles SU5 final to China's Yang Qiuxia and awaits the Women's Doubles SL3-SU5 final.
Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan won silver in Women's Singles SH6 , losing 12-21, 13-21 to China's Li Fengmei .
India stand fourth in the 2026 medals tally with 104 medals — 27 gold, 34 silver, 43 bronze .
India's Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan claimed a silver medal in the Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 category at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya on Friday, 23 October 2026, going down to Indonesia's formidable pair in a three-game final. The result adds to India's growing medal haul at the Games, where the country currently sits fourth in the overall standings.
How the Final Unfolded
The Indian duo started on fire, dominating the opening game 21-11 against Indonesia's Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani. However, Indonesia hit back to edge the second game 21-19 before pulling away in the decider, winning 21-14 to take gold. Nitesh and Thulasimathi showed tremendous fighting spirit throughout, pushing their opponents deep into the second and third games before eventually running out of steam.
Thulasimathi's Remarkable Day
The final was not Thulasimathi's only action on Friday. Earlier in the day, she claimed a silver in the Women's Singles SU5 final, losing to China's Yang Qiuxia 21-18, 21-11. She was still in contention for further glory, with a Women's Doubles SL3-SU5 final alongside Manasi Girishchandra Joshi against China's Yang Qiuxia and Xiao Zuxian still to be played.
Nitesh Beats Pramod in All-India SL4 Final
In a historic all-India clash, Nitesh Kumar won gold in the Men's Singles SL4 category, defeating compatriot and two-time champion Pramod Bhagat — winner of the 2018 and 2022 editions — 21-18, 21-16. Both players are Paralympic champions, making the contest one of the standout moments of India's campaign. Meanwhile, Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan signed off with silver in the Women's Singles SH6 final, losing 12-21, 13-21 to China's Li Fengmei.
India's Campaign in Context
India arrived in Aichi-Nagoya on the back of their best-ever Asian Para Games performance at Hangzhou 2023, where they won a record 111 medals — 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze — to finish fifth overall. At the 2026 edition, India currently stand fourth in the medals tally with 104 medals: 27 gold, 34 silver, and 43 bronze. The para badminton contingent has been a significant contributor to that count, with multiple finals appearances across categories.
Understanding the Para Badminton Categories
In para badminton, SL3 is for players with significant lower-limb impairments competing on a half-court, while SL4 is for athletes with lower-limb impairments who have better walking and running balance. SU5SH6 is for athletes with short stature. India's medal count across these categories underlines the depth the country has built in para badminton over the past decade.
With the Women's Doubles SL3-SU5 final still ahead, India's badminton squad has a further shot at gold before the curtain comes down on their 2026 Asian Para Games campaign.
Point of View
One court, one gold. Yet the mixed doubles silver is a reminder that Indonesia, led by the peerless Leani Ratri Oktila, remain the dominant force at continental level. India's depth across SL3, SL4, SU5, and SH6 categories is real, but consistency in the deciding game — the third set — remains the gap between silver and gold at the highest level of para badminton.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan win at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan won silver in the Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 category at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on 23 October 2026. They lost 21-11, 19-21, 14-21 to Indonesia's Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani in the final.
Did Nitesh Kumar win a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Yes, Nitesh Kumar won gold in the Men's Singles SL4 category, defeating fellow Indian and two-time champion Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in an all-India final. It was a landmark win in Indian para badminton, with both players being Paralympic champions.
What is India's medals tally at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
India stand fourth in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games medals tally with 104 medals — 27 gold, 34 silver, and 43 bronze. This follows their record haul of 111 medals at the 2023 Hangzhou edition.
What are the SL3, SL4, SU5, and SH6 categories in para badminton?
SL3 is for players with significant lower-limb impairments competing on a half-court; SL4 is for athletes with lower-limb impairments who have better walking and running balance. SU5 is for players with upper-limb impairments, while SH6 is for athletes with short stature.
Is Thulasimathi Murugesan still competing at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Yes, Thulasimathi Murugesan was still in contention for a gold medal in the Women's Doubles SL3-SU5 final, partnering Manasi Girishchandra Joshi to face China's Yang Qiuxia and Xiao Zuxian. She had earlier won silver in Women's Singles SU5 on the same day.
