Thulasimathi-Manasi clinch Asian Para Games gold in Women's Doubles SL3-SU5
Synopsis
Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi turned a 2025 Asian Championships heartbreak into golden redemption at Nagoya, beating the reigning World Champions from China in straight games. On a single day, India's para badminton squad delivered two golds and three silvers — underlining the depth of a programme that continues to punch above its weight on the continental stage.
Key Takeaways
Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi won gold in Women's Doubles SL3-SU5 at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games , defeating China 21-16, 21-13 .
The win avenges the Indian pair's defeat in the 2025 Asian Championships final and upgrades their silver from the previous edition to gold.
Naveen Sivakumar and Nitesh Kumar claimed gold in men's singles SL3 and SL4 respectively; Nitesh beat compatriot Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in an all-India final.
Thulasimathi added two silvers — in Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 and women's singles SU5 — on the same day.
India are fourth in the overall 2026 Asian Para Games tally with 106 medals — 28 gold , 34 silver , 44 bronze .
Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi clinched the gold medal in the Women's Doubles SL3-SU5 category at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on 23 October 2026, defeating reigning World Champions Qiuxia Yang and Zuxian Xiao of China in straight games. The Indian pair won 21-16 and 21-13, avenging their loss to the same Chinese duo in the 2025 Asian Championships final. The victory upgrades the pair's silver medal from the previous edition to gold.
A Day of Medals for India's Para Badminton Stars
The day was packed with action for Indian shuttlers at Nagoya. Thulasimathi also teamed up with Nitesh Kumar to reach the Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 final, where the Indian pair fell to Indonesia's Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani 21-11, 19-21, 14-21, settling for silver. In the women's singles SU5 final, Thulasimathi again finished runner-up, losing to China's Yang 21-18, 21-11.
Naveen and Nitesh Strike Gold in Men's Singles
Naveen Sivakumar and Nitesh Kumar claimed gold medals in the men's singles SL3 and SL4 categories respectively. Nitesh's triumph came in a historic all-India final against Pramod Bhagat — a two-time Asian Para Games gold medallist at 2018 and 2022 — winning 21-18, 21-16 in a contest between two Paralympic champions. Meanwhile, Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan signed off with silver in the women's singles SH6 final, losing to China's Li Fengmei 12-21, 13-21.
Understanding the Para Badminton Classifications
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. SU5 covers players with upper-limb impairments, and SH6 is for athletes with short stature.
India's Overall Standing at Aichi-Nagoya 2026
India currently sit fourth in the Asian Para Games 2026 medals tally with 106 medals — 28 gold, 34 silver, and 44 bronze. This comes on the heels of India's best-ever campaign at Hangzhou 2023, where the contingent won a record 111 medals — 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze — to finish fifth overall. With more events still to conclude, India's final medal count at Aichi-Nagoya remains in the balance.
Point of View
Beating the reigning World Champions in the process. The all-India final in men's SL4 between Nitesh Kumar and Pramod Bhagat signals a depth that few Asian nations can match. Yet the broader picture — fourth in the overall tally with 106 medals, slightly off Hangzhou's record 111 pace — raises a quiet question about whether India's para-sport ecosystem is funding and supporting athletes at a scale commensurate with their talent.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Women's Doubles SL3-SU5 gold at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
India's Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi won the gold medal, defeating reigning World Champions Qiuxia Yang and Zuxian Xiao of China 21-16, 21-13 at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on 23 October 2026.
What is the significance of the gold for Thulasimathi and Manasi?
The win avenges their loss to the same Chinese pair in the 2025 Asian Championships final and upgrades the duo's silver medal from the previous Asian Para Games edition to gold, marking a significant milestone in their partnership.
How did India's other para badminton players perform on 23 October?
Naveen Sivakumar and Nitesh Kumar won gold in men's singles SL3 and SL4 respectively, while Thulasimathi claimed two silvers — in Mixed Doubles and women's singles SU5 — and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan took silver in women's singles SH6.
What is India's medals tally at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
India are fourth in the overall medals tally with 106 medals — 28 gold, 34 silver, and 44 bronze — as of 23 October 2026, with events still to be concluded.
What are the para badminton SL3, SL4, SU5, and SH6 categories?
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 covers players with upper-limb impairments, and SH6 is for athletes with short stature.
