Pramod Bhagat: Comeback of Odisha’s Para-Badminton King

For four-time world champion Pramod Bhagat, the badminton court is more than a playing field; it is a boxing ring where mental fortitude matters just as much as physical skill. The ace Odia shuttler has recently returned to the international circuit with a vengeance, determined to prove that his time away has not dulled his competitive edge.

Bhagat faced a devastating setback in March 2024 when he was handed a suspension regarding a 'whereabouts' failure. He maintains that the issue was a technical glitch involving the uploading of his location details, rather than an intentional error. Regardless of the cause, the consequence was severe: an 18-month ban that forced the Tokyo gold medallist to miss the chance to defend his title at the Paris Paralympics. He describes this period as a massive shock to both him and his family.

However, rather than accepting defeat, Bhagat channeled the mindset of a prizefighter. He knew he couldn't allow his opponents to believe he was finished. His return to the court was grueling. To make up for lost time and ranking points, he embarked on a relentless tour, competing in back-to-back tournaments across China, Nigeria, Australia, Indonesia, and Japan.

The schedule was punishing, with gaps of only two or three days between events. Yet, the hard work paid off. Bhagat collected an impressive haul of 10 gold medals across singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles events. Consequently, he has reclaimed the World No. 1 spot in doubles and has successfully climbed back into the top 5 of the SL-3 singles category.

The road wasn't easy. Bhagat admitted that while his mind was ready, his body suffered from unbearable muscle pain due to the intensity of the matches. Furthermore, the game had evolved during his absence. In his first tournament back in China, he fought for over two hours in the final—a stark contrast to his previous matches—because he had to adapt to new techniques and playing styles that other competitors had developed.

Now, Bhagat has set his sights on history. He is currently tied with legendary shuttler Lin Dan with five World Championship titles. His ultimate goal is to secure a sixth title and set a new benchmark in para-sports. To ensure nothing stops him again, he and his team have set a strict daily alarm at 10:00 AM to fill out whereabouts forms, leaving no room for error.