I was working very hard for this competition. I am satisfied with my performance. My next aim is to do well in 2020 Paralympics. I will start my preparation soon
Pramod Bhagat
Jakarta: Ace para-shuttler of Odisha Pramod Bhagat continued his brilliant show as he clinched a gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 class badminton in the Asian Para Games, which concluded here Saturday.
Pramod defeated Ukun Rukaendi of Indonesia 21-19, 15-21, 21-14 to win the yellow metal. This was the second medal for Pramod in the mega competition as he had earlier won a bronze medal in the doubles event. He and his partner Manoj Sarkar lost to an Indonesian pair 13-21, 19-25 to be satisfied with the bronze medal.
India recorded their best-ever showing by adding two more gold, a few silver and some bronze medals for a total of 72 podium finishes. With 15 gold, 24 silver and 33 bronze medals, India are placed ninth in the overall tally. In the last edition in 2014, India had won 33 medals (three gold, 14 silver, 16 bronze).
Athletes in the SL3 category generally have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking or running balance. Athletes with cerebral palsy, bilateral polio or loss of both legs below the knee compete in half-court (lenghtwise) to minimise the impact of their impairment.
Para shuttler Tarun added another gold for India on the final day of the event by beating Yuyang Gao of China 21-16, 21-6 in the men’s singles SL4 class. The SL4 class athletes have a lesser impairment compared to SL 3 and play full-court. Players with impairment in one or both lower limbs, unilateral polio or mild cerebral palsy fall in SL4 category.
Continental giants China were at the top of the peking order with 172 gold, 88 silver and 59 bronze followed by South Korea (53 gold, 25 silver and 47 bronze) and Iran (51, 42, 43).
Earlier Friday, Paralympic medallist Deepa Malik bagged her second bronze. K Jennitha Anto clinched the gold in women’s individual rapid P1 chess event after beating Manurung Roslinda of Indonesia 1-0 in the final round, while Kishan Gangolli got the better of Majid Bagheri in the men’s individual rapid VI – B2/B3 event to claim the top spot. Rapid P1 event is for physically impaired athletes while rapid VI- B2/B3 event features partially blind competitors.
In para-badminton, Parul Parmar notched up a 21-9, 21-5 victory over Wandee Kamtam of Thailand to win the gold medal in the women’s singles SL3 event. Athletes in this class have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking/running balance but they play in standing positions.
Pointers
India recorded their best-ever showing in the Asian Para Games with 72 medals
India are placed ninth in the overall tally
In the last edition in 2014, India had won 33 medals
Continental giants China were at the top of the peking order with 319 medals
