Odisha para-badminton ace Pramod Bhagat and his partner Sukant Kadam from Maharashtra have become World No 1 in the mens doubles category after winning the gold medal at the recently concluded Brazil Para-Badminton International in Sao Paulo.

The announcement of the latest world ranking was made by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) today. Paralympic and World singles champion Bhagat and Kadam have been playing together in mens doubles SL3-SL4 category for the past eight months.

They have won the gold medal in the last three international tournaments, which include the Brazil Para-Badminton International 2023, Spanish Para-Badminton International 2023 and the Thailand Para Badminton Tournament 2022.

Talking about the same Padma Shri Awardee Bhagat said, “I am really happy to be World No 1 again with Sukant Kadam. Both me and Sukant have put in a lot of effort and have been working hard to reach where we have reached. This is just the start, and we are looking to build upon what we have achieved and reach for more glory and medals for India.”

Adding to the same Sukant Kadam said, “The hard work has paid off and this is just the beginning we plan to continue our great form into the upcoming tournaments. Becoming World, No 1 will motivate us to work harder and double our efforts in practice. There are a few more areas where we need to work, and the focus will be on those.”

The duo will be preparing for upcoming tournaments like Thailand Para-Badminton International 2023 and Bahrain Para-Badminton International 2023 to name a few.
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PHOTO: Undated file picture of new World No 1 doubles pair, Pramod Bhagat (Right) and Sukant Kadam.