India have made a commanding start to their para-badminton campaign at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, securing a guaranteed podium finish alongside a series of dominant victories across the various singles categories on Saturday. The strong opening performances underline the depth and preparation of the Indian contingent as the multi-sport continental tournament gathers momentum in Japan.
Leading the charge on the court were experienced doubles specialists Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan, who booked their spot in the semifinals of the women's doubles SL3-SU5 category. Their progression guarantees India a medal for the second consecutive edition of the Games, having previously claimed the silver medal at the 2023 edition held in Hangzhou.
The Indian duo delivered a polished performance to overcome China's Yuemei Liu and Tongtong Li in straight games, registering a 21-10, 21-17 victory. This success marked their second consecutive win of the tournament, sealing a top-two finish in Group A even with one final group fixture still remaining on their schedule.
Joshi and Murugesan had earlier demonstrated their competitive readiness by overcoming Indonesia's Rahayu Warining and Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh in their opening encounter on Friday. The pair will now look to maintain their winning momentum when they face China's Yang Qiuxia and Xiao Zuxian in their concluding group fixture on Monday.
The SL3-SU5 event functions as a combined standing category designed specifically to accommodate athletes with lower or upper limb impairments. The ability of Joshi and Murugesan to navigate this competitive field successfully highlights their enduring partnership and tactical understanding on the international badminton stage.
In the singles events, reigning Tokyo Paralympics champion Krishna Nagar also delivered a stellar performance to secure his second successive victory in the SH6 men's singles group stage. Nagar booked his place in the quarterfinals by overcoming Indonesia's Subhan with a comfortable 21-13, 21-15 scoreline.
The victory ensured a top-two finish in Group C for Nagar, leaving him with one final group match to complete his preliminary commitments. The SH6 classification category is designated for players of short stature, a division where Nagar has consistently established himself as a dominant force over recent years.
Paris Paralympics champion Nitesh Kumar also commenced his tournament campaign in emphatic fashion within the men's singles SL3 division. Kumar swept past Thailand's Natthapol Chamnanwet in straight games, recording a completely dominant 21-6, 21-7 victory to set the tone for his campaign.
Joining him in the winner's circle for the SL3 category, which caters to standing players with lower limb impairments, was fellow Tokyo Paralympics winner Pramod Bhagat. Bhagat produced a disciplined display to defeat China's Xiong Lichuan with a scoreline of 21-17, 21-16.
Further bolstering India's impressive day on the courts, Umesh Vikram Kumar secured a straightforward win over the Philippines competitor Khian Kyle Urbano. Vikram Kumar controlled the proceedings from the outset to wrap up the match with scores of 21-10, 21-12 in the men's singles classification.
The men's singles SL4 category, which features standing athletes with less severe lower-limb impairments, saw Naveen Sivakumar deliver a commanding performance. Sivakumar dismissed Indonesia's Hikmat Ramdani 21-12, 21-10 to claim a decisive victory for the Indian team.
Adding to the SL4 success, Surya Kant Yadav navigated a tougher challenge against Japan's Koki Ogawa before sealing the win. Yadav managed to secure the first game comfortably but had to fight through a tighter second frame, eventually closing out the match 21-6, 21-19.
Sukant Kadam was also pushed to his absolute limits in the SL4 division during a hard-fought encounter against South Korea's Shin Kyung Hwan. After splitting the opening two games, Kadam recovered his composure to dominate the deciding third game, securing a 21-17, 18-21, 21-9 triumph.
Abhijeet Sakhuja provided another dramatic fixture for the Indian camp by staging a remarkable comeback in his men's singles SL4 match. After dropping a close first game to Thailand's Siripong Teamarrom, Sakhuja regrouped effectively to take the next two games and win 19-21, 21-16, 21-10.
In the men's singles SU5 category, structured for standing players presenting with upper limb impairments, Ruthick Ragupathi made a strong impression. Ragupathi comfortably defeated Japan's Wataru Kanai 21-12, 21-13 to advance his standing in the tournament.
Hardik Makkar rounded out the successful singles outings for India with a hard-earned victory in the same SU5 division. Makkar overcame a spirited challenge from Malaysia's Amyrul Yazid bin Ahmad Sibi, ultimately prevailing 21-16, 16-21, 21-18 after a tense three-game battle.
The Asian Para Games in Nagoya continue to serve as a vital multi-sport platform for athletes from across the continent to showcase their elite capabilities. The extensive success recorded by the Indian players on the opening weekend reflects robust preparation and growing depth across all classification categories.
With multiple players advancing deep into the knockout rounds and guaranteed medals already secured, the Indian para-badminton contingent remains well-positioned for further success. Attention will now turn to the remaining group-stage fixtures scheduled over the coming days before the tournament progresses toward its medal matches.
Reflecting the rigorous multi-sport schedule in Nagoya, the Indian contingent has maintained a high level of concentration across all competitive divisions. Coaching staff and officials have emphasized the importance of maintaining focus as athletes transition from the preliminary group matches into the high-stakes knockout rounds.
As the competition proceeds toward its climax, the collective achievements on opening day highlight a broader trend of growth for Indian para-sports on the international stage. Fans and supporters back home will be closely monitoring upcoming fixtures as medal matches approach in the coming days.
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