Pramod Bhagat is an Indian professional Para-badminton player. He won the first-ever gold in badminton for India in Tokyo Paralympics.
Who is Pramod Bhagat?
Pramod Bhagat is a professional Paralympic Badminton player from Odisha, India. He actually comes from Attabira in the Bargarh District. He was born on 4th June 1988. His father was Kailash Bhagat and his mother Kusum Devi. He weighs 65 kg and his height is 5 feet 8 inches. This player has five brothers and sisters. He ranked number 1 in para-badminton men’s singles SL3. He also won a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Men’s singles SL3.
How did Pramod Bhagat start his journey?
When Pramod was Five years old, he developed a defect on his left leg. It was the dreaded disease polio. At the age of 13, he went to watch a game of badminton and it fascinated him. It was at that very moment that he decided that he wanted to become a badminton player. For the next two years, he was deeply engulfed in the game with footwork, fitness, and fixture of the game. His coach was Shiba Prasad Das.
As soon as he reached 15 years of age, Pramod played his first-ever tournament against normal category players. He had a defective leg but that did not deter him from playing the game. The player even won a district-level competition. He was encouraged by the spectators, the sight of whom motivated him to move ahead in his badminton career. Then this player moved towards para-badminton. From there, Pramod never looked back. He smashed multiple records and won many laurels.
How did Pramod make the country proud?
This person made the entire nation proud by winning gold in the Men’s Singles category at the second Fazza Para-badminton International in 2019. It is one of his recent achievements. This international badminton match was held in Dubai in April. In the month of March the same year, the para shuttler won the fifth Turkish Para-Badminton International ENES CUP at Antalya in Turkey. The player had also won two bronze medals in the last edition of the same tournament in 2018. He also bagged two gold and one silver medal at the IWAS World Games in Sharjah.
People who played a big role in Pramod Bhagat’s life
Pramod started as one of the finest para-shuttlers of our country. He bagged a number of accolades in badminton which included World Championships and Asian Para Games. However, there is a list of people who made an important contribution in his winning multiple medals and awards. First on the list come Kailash and Kusum Devi, his parents. It was their undying faith and encouragement in Pramod’s life who turned him into the fine player he is today.
Next in line comes his coaches, SP Das and Gaurav Khanna. They encouraged him to achieve his dreams and polished his potential for sports. He is the kind of player who plays well in both singles and doubles.
Pramod’s achievements
Pramod won a lot of awards and medals. Some of them are as follows:
- 2 gold in the singles and mixed doubles events and 1 silver medal at the men’s doubles event of the IWAS World Games, 2019.
- Gold and silver medals in singles and doubles events in Australia Para-Badminton International Tournament in 2018.
- Bronze medals in singles and doubles events of Asian Para-Badminton Championship in 2016.
- Bronze in singles event of Asian Para Games in 2014.
- Silver and gold medals in singles and doubles events of the Asian Para Games in 2009.
- Gold medals in singles and doubles events of RYLA International Challenger Tournament 2007.
Narendra Modi’s tweet regarding Pramod Kumar
In his tweet about Pramod, Modi said, “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 endeavors.” Doordarshan also posted a tweet regarding him.
