Odisha Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat retained his mens singles SL3 crown in the BWF World Para Badminton Championships, which concluded in Pattaya, Thailand today. This was the third successive and fifth overall singles world title for Bhagat, who equaled the record of his idol Lin Dan (China).
In the guelling singles final that lasted one hour 40 minutes, World No 2 Bhagat fought back from a game down to outclash his England nemesis and World No 1 Daniel Bethell 14-21, 21-15, 21-14. Padma Shri awardee Bhagat had won his first four world singles titles in 2009, 2015, 2019 and 2022.
Besides the singles gold, Bhagat won two bronze medals for reaching semifinals in mens doubles SL3-SL4 and mixed doubles SL3-SU5 categories. In the mens doubles semifinals, Bhagat and his Indian partner Sukant Kadan lost to Thailand pair of Mongkhon Bunsun and Siripong Teamarrom 16-21, 16-21 yesterday.