Bhubaneswar: Odisha shuttler Pramod Bhagat won the gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 badminton event at Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China, on Friday.
In an all-Indian final, Pramod pipped compatriot Nitesh Kumar 22-20 18-21 and 21-19 to win the contest 2-1. It was also India’s 21st gold medal in this edition of the Asian Para Games.
The ace shuttler from Odisha had earlier won bronze in men’s doubles and mixed doubles with partners Sukant Kadam and Manisha Ramdass, respectively.
To acknowledge his outstanding performance in the Para Asian Games, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced a cash award of Rs.2 crore for Pramod. “Pramod is one of the finest competitors and an example of sheer determination, and I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to him. I am certain he will continue to make us proud at the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games,” Naveen said, assuring all support for him ahead of the Paris Paralympic Games.
Bhagat expressed his gratitude for the support he has received in the course of his journey. “I would like to express deep gratitude for the overwhelming support I receive, notably from the Hon’ble CM of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik. At the Asian Para Games, I proudly secured three medals in three events, including one gold and two bronze. This triumph serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for my journey towards the Paris Olympic Games in 2024,” Bhagat said after his singles triumph on Friday.