India's Para Badminton Haul at Asian Para Games 2026 Continues

Nagoya, October 23: Indian para badminton players added to the country's medal count on Friday, with Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan taking silver in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 category.

In the final, the Indian pair lost 21-11, 19-21, 14-21 to Indonesia's Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani. The contest swung between both sides, with India winning the opening game comfortably before dropping the next two.

The Indian medal tally got a boost earlier in the day when Thulasimathi won silver in the women's singles SU5 final. She went down 21-18, 21-11 against China's Yang. Nitesh secured gold by defeating compatriot Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16. The match was a showdown between two Paralympic champions, as Pramod had previously won gold in 2018 and 2022.

Another Indian, Nitya Sri Sumathy Sivan, finished with silver after losing the women's singles SH6 final 12-21, 13-21 to China's Li Fengmei.

Understanding the classifications helps explain these events. SL3 is for para badminton players with severe lower limb impairment who play on half court. SL4 is for athletes with severe lower limb impairment and better running and walking balance. SU5 is for players with upper limb impairment, while SH6 is for players of short stature.

India's journey at this year's Games follows a record-setting performance at Hangzhou 2023, where it won 111 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze.

As of the latest update, India has secured 104 medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, with 27 gold, 34 silver and 43 bronze. The country currently sits fourth in the medal standings.