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BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2022: Pramod Bhagat, the man of gold

After a historic Tokyo win, defending his men's singles SL3 title and bagging gold, Bihar's Pramod Bhagat's eyes are set on the 2024 Paris Paralympics and on becoming a five-time world champion like former No. 1 Lin Dan

November 12, 2022 / 12:24 IST
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Pramod Bhagat.
Pramod Bhagat.

There was a sense of déjà vu as Pramod Bhagat took to the courts at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships last week. He was back in Tokyo — and at the same venue — where he had won India’s first Paralympic gold in badminton last year. Under the circumstances, Bhagat felt at home, thriving on his pleasant memories from the past.

After clearing the round robin stage with relative ease, there was more of the same to follow. In the knockouts, he faced familiar faces in Oleksandr Chyrkov and Daisuke Fujihara — two opponents he had beaten at the Paralympics. This time around too, he lived up to his reputation as the top seed to trump both en route the final. And after beating his counterpart, Nitesh Kumar, 21-19, 21-19, in the summit clash, Bhagat had done enough to pick up gold and defend his world championship crown in the SL3 category.

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“There is absolutely no pressure these days. I’ve been playing for over 15 years now and have come across every situation there is, gaining vital experience through each of them. If I enjoy the game, I know the results will follow,” says Bhagat.

“It felt great to be back in Tokyo. But of course, nothing comes close to winning the Paralympic gold,” he adds.