India’s Pramod Bhagat created history by becoming the first para-shuttler from the country to win a gold medal at the Paralympics. Reigning world champion Bhagat defeated Daniel Bethell of Great Britain in the final of the Men’s Singles SL3 category to win India’s fourth gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.

Bhagat defeated Bethell 21-14, 21-17 in the final to clinch his first and India’s fourth gold medal in the ongoing event. It was a brilliant performance from the world number one, who never let his opponent settle down well in the game and kept him at bay with his skills.

Bhagat started the first game on level terms with Bethell as the two shuttlers were tied at 6-6 before the Indian upped his ante and raced to a comfortable lead of 14-8. He wrapped up the first game inside 21 minutes to claim a 21-14 victory and once again started slowly in the second game.

Bethell made a solid start in the second game and was quick to amass a 5-1 lead against Bhagat, who faltered initially before staging a fightback. From trailing 4-11 at the break, Bhagat made a stunning comeback as he gained a lead of two points at 17-15 with the game in his favour. He was swift to close the game and registered a thumping win by clinching the second game 21-17.

With the straight-sets victory, Bhagat etched his name in history books as he became the first Indian para shuttler to win a gold medal at the Paralympics. He also extended India’s gold medal tally to four at the Games while the country’s overall tally reached 17.

In the same category, India’s Manoj Sarkar won a bronze medal after defeating Japan’s Daisuke in the bronze medal match in Tokyo on Saturday as India bagged two out of the three medals on offer in the event. Sarkar defeated Fujihara 22-20, 21-13 in straight sets in the bronze medal match.