Picture Credit: Twitter
The Indian contingent at the recently concluded Asian Para Games etched history, finishing with the best-ever medal tally in the history of the quadrennial showpiece. The games which culminated on October in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China saw India finished fifth with 111 medals, there best so far in the Para Games history.
The Indian para shuttler completed a hat-trick of medals in India’s historic 100-mark tally. While he clinched the gold on Friday, October 27 in the men’s singles SL3 event, beating fellow Indian Nitesh Kumar 22-20, 18-21 and 21-19. He previously won two bronze medals in what is his debut appearance at the Games.
His one bronze came with Sukant Indukant Kadam in men’s doubles SL3-SL4, while the other came in mixed doubles SL3-SU5 with Manisha Ramadass. This historic hat-trick medal wins for the ace shuttler earned him accolade from all over, including PM Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The Odisha CM took to X to announce the cash reward for the Indian shuttler.
“CM @Naveen_Odisha has announced a cash reward of ₹ 2 Cr for #Odisha’s star para shuttler @PramodBhagat83 for his outstanding performance in the #AsianParaGames. The para shuttler clinched gold medal in the para Badminton Men’s Singles SL3 event. Praising Bhagat, CM called him one of the finest competitors and an example of sheer determination,” the post from CMO Odisha read.
The Odisha CM also assured full support for the para shuttler for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. The shuttler also expressed his gratitude in his victory run. “I would like to express deep gratitude for the overwhelming support I receive, notably from the Hon’ble CM of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik”, he said.
