Nagoya, October 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan won the silver medal in badminton mixed doubles SL3-SU5 at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on Friday, losing to Indonesia’s Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani in the final.
The Indian pair began strongly, taking the opening game 21-11, but their Indonesian opponents fought back to win the second 21-19 and force a decider. Oktila and Ramdani then prevailed 21-14 in the third game to claim gold.
Despite missing the top podium position, Nitesh and Thulasimathi pushed their opponents in a competitive final after making an impressive start.
Thulasimathi remains in contention for another gold medal. She is scheduled to partner Manasi Girishchandra Joshi in the women’s doubles SL3-SU5 final against China’s Yang Qiuxia and Xiao Zuxian.
Earlier, Thulasimathi claimed silver in the women’s singles SU5 event after losing the final to Yang of China. Nitesh, meanwhile, secured gold in the men’s singles SL4 category, defeating compatriot Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in an all-Indian final between two Paralympic champions.
India also added another silver through Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan, who lost 12-21, 13-21 to China’s Li Fengmei in the women’s singles SH6 final.
India entered the 2026 Games after a record-breaking performance at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, where the contingent won 111 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze.
India are currently fourth in the 2026 medals standings, with 104 medals comprising 27 gold, 34 silver and 43 bronze.
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