Indian para-badminton athletes Thulasimathi Murugesan and Nitesh Kumar have advanced to the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 final at the 2026 Asian Para Games. The duo secured their place in the gold medal match after a challenging semifinal encounter.
The Indian pair faced off against the Chinese combination of Mingpan Li and Zuxian Xiao on the fourth day of competition in Aichi-Nagoya. The match proved to be a tightly contested affair that lasted 42 minutes of intense play.
Murugesan and Kumar claimed the opening game 21-19, displaying composure under pressure. Although the Chinese pair responded by taking the second game 21-14 to level the match, the Indians regained their momentum in the deciding third game.
The final set saw the Indian duo prevail 21-17, confirming their progression to the championship match. Their performance marks a significant achievement for the Indian contingent currently competing in the multi-sport event hosted in Japan.
In the same category, fellow Indian competitors Manisha Ramadass and Pramod Bhagat earned a bronze medal. They concluded their campaign after a three-game semifinal defeat to Indonesia’s Oktila Leani Ratri and Hikmat Ramdani in a highly competitive fixture.
The semifinal between Ramadass and Bhagat against the Indonesian pair was a close contest. The Indians won the first game 21-16, but the Indonesian duo fought back to win the next two games 21-13 and 21-17 to advance.
Following their semifinal victory, Thulasimathi Murugesan and Nitesh Kumar are now set to face the Indonesian pair of Ratri and Ramdani in the final. The gold medal match will determine the ultimate winners of the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles event.
The Asian Para Games 2026 have seen a strong showing from the Indian team, which entered the fourth day of competition with a total of 62 medals. The country’s tally includes 14 gold, 21 silver, and 27 bronze medals.
Beyond the badminton courts, India has also seen success in other disciplines. Swati Chaudhary secured a silver medal in the women’s W1 para-archery event after a narrow 4-6 loss to China’s Cen Mengkan in the gold medal match.
The Indian para-athletics squad has been a primary contributor to the nation’s medal haul, accounting for 13 of the 14 gold medals won so far. Athletes such as Dilip Gavit have been instrumental in boosting India's position.
Other events on the schedule for October 22 included para-athletics, swimming, shooting, and table tennis. Suvarna Raj was also in contention for a medal, leading the women’s discus throw F54 final with a best effort of 15.09 metres.
The Asian Para Games continue to serve as a platform for elite para-athletes from across the continent to showcase their skills. The event in Aichi-Nagoya remains a focal point for international para-sports competition throughout this week.
The success of the Indian badminton contingent highlights the growing depth of talent within the national setup. Both the finalists and the bronze medallists have demonstrated significant progress in their respective disciplines during the course of the tournament.
As the competition progresses, the focus remains on the upcoming finals across various sports. The Indian team continues to monitor the medal table as they look to improve their standing before the official conclusion of the Games.
The mixed doubles SL3-SU5 final is anticipated to be a highlight of the badminton schedule. Murugesan and Kumar will aim to build on their semifinal performance as they prepare to challenge for the top spot on the podium.
The tournament has provided numerous opportunities for athletes to test themselves against top-tier international competition. The results achieved on Thursday morning reflect the rigorous preparation undertaken by the Indian para-athletes in the lead-up to the Games.
Spectators and officials have been closely following the progress of the badminton events throughout the week. The intensity of the semifinal matches underscores the high level of skill displayed by all participating nations in the SL3-SU5 category.
With the Games entering their final stages, the pressure on the athletes to deliver podium finishes continues to mount. The Indian contingent remains focused on maintaining their momentum across all participating sports to further bolster their medal count.
The final results for the badminton events will be confirmed following the conclusion of the gold medal matches. The performance of Murugesan and Kumar has already ensured a significant contribution to India’s overall medal tally at the Games.
The Asian Para Games 2026 represent a major milestone for the athletes involved. The dedication shown by the competitors in Aichi-Nagoya continues to inspire audiences and highlight the importance of inclusive sports on the international stage.
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