Odisha para shuttlers continued their winning streak in international circuit with an indomitable Pramod Bhagat and Deep Ranjan Bisoyee bagging the gold and silver medal respectively at the Japan Para Badminton International, a BWF Level-2 event, held in Tokyo, Japan from 7 to 12 November 2023.

Paralympic and World champion Bhagat won the gold in men SL3 singles category, defeating fellow Indian Manoj Sarkar in the final 21-16, 21-19. Bhagat also reached mixed doubles SL3-SU5 quarterfinals with partner Manisha Ramadass before losing to Chinese opponents Jianyuan Yang and Qui Xia Yang 14-21, 21-15, 16-21.

Bisoyee claimed the silver medal in men SL3-SL4 doubles event with Indian partner Manoj Sarkar. They put up strong fight in the final against Indian opponents Nehal Gupta and Naveen Sivakumar before going down in 2-1 games (19-21, 21-18, 17-21).

As many as four shuttlers from Odisha participated in the Japan tournament. Other two were Gadela Dillaswar Rao and Subhrajeet Maharana. Competing in men singles SL3 category, Rao reached pre-quarterfinals where he lost to Lichuan Xiong of China in straight games.

Maharana bowed out from the group stage in men SL4 singles, winning one and losing two matches. In men SL3-SL4 doubles, Maharana and his Indian partner Dinesh Rajaiah also ended their campaign at the group stage, winning one and losing two matches.
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PHOTO: Odisha duo, Pramod Bhagat (Right) and Deep Ranjan Bisoyee pose with their medals at the Japan Para Badminton International in Tokyo on 12 November 2023.