Tokyo Paralympics: Pramod Bhagat scripts history, wins gold medal in badminton men’s singles, Watch the winning moment

Tokyo: Odisha’s parathlete Pramod Bhagat scripted history by winning the gold medal in badminton men’s singles (SL3) final match of the Tokyo Paralympics Games on Saturday.

Pramod Bhagat won the gold medal after defeating Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell 21-14, 21-17 in the summit clash. With this, he won the first-ever gold medal in badminton for India in the Paralympics.

It’s official Pramod Bhagat wins first ever GOLD for India in the first ever edition of #ParaBadminton at #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/J4zgwwMmu2

— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) September 4, 2021

India’s Manoj Sarkar also won a bronze medal in the same event taking the medal tally of the country to 17. Currently, India is ranked 26th in the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics.

Meanwhile, congratulatory messages poured in for Pramod Bhagat from President Ram Nath Kovind to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and from sportspersons to political leaders.

Taking to his Twitter handle, President Kovind wrote, “Pramod Bhagat, the badminton star of India ranked #1 in the world has won the gold medal at #Paralympics. This is especially joyous for Indians as the national anthem was played at the podium. Heartiest congratulations! May you sustain your proven excellence.”

Pramod Bhagat, the badminton star of India ranked #1 in the world has won the gold medal at #Paralympics. This is especially joyous for Indians as the national anthem was played at the podium. Heartiest congratulations! May you sustain your proven excellence.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 4, 2021

“Pramod Bhagat has won the hearts of the entire nation. He is a Champion, whose success will motivate millions. He showed remarkable resilience & determination. Congratulations to him for winning the Gold in Badminton. Best wishes to him for his future endeavours,” said PM Modi in a Twitter post.

Pramod Bhagat has won the hearts of the entire nation. He is a Champion, whose success will motivate millions. He showed remarkable resilience & determination. Congratulations to him for winning the Gold in Badminton. Best wishes to him for his future endeavours. @PramodBhagat83

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2021

The Sports & Youth Services Department of Odisha Government also congratulated Pramod Bhagat terming him as the ‘Golden Boy of Odisha,’ as his medal is Odisha’s first gold in either of Olympics or Paralympics.

! #PramodBhagat has done it.

The World Champion wins a #Gold at the #Paralympics. #Odisha‘s first gold in either of #Olympics or Paralympics. Thank you for making the fly high at Tokyo. pic.twitter.com/IQwEqVHWjy

— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) September 4, 2021

Pramod Bhagat, who is the current world no 1, entered the final of the mega event after outplaying Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara in the first SL3 class semifinals that lasted 36 minutes. He won the match with a scoreline of 21-11 21-16.