Six of the Best! Can Anyone Stop Pramod Bhagat’s Golden Run?
Manama, Bahrain: India’s para-badminton superstar Pramod Bhagat etched his name deeper into history by clinching the men’s singles SL3 gold medal at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2026, claiming a record sixth world title.
According to a report by Sportstar, Bhagat defeated Indonesia’s Muhammad Al Imran in the final with a straight-games victory, winning 21-12, 21-18 to seal the championship in emphatic style.
The Indian shuttler, known for his consistency and tactical brilliance in the SL3 classification, dominated the opening game with sharp court coverage and controlled rallies. Though Al Imran mounted resistance in the second game, Bhagat held his nerve at crucial moments to close out the contest in two games.
This triumph marks Bhagat’s sixth world championship gold in SL3 singles (previous titles coming in 2009, 2015, 2019, 2022 and 2024), making him the most decorated singles player in world championship history in his category. As highlighted by Sportstar, the achievement places him ahead of legends such as Lin Dan in terms of individual world titles across formats.
The victory is particularly significant as it comes after a challenging phase in his career, including an 18-month suspension that ruled him out of the Paris Paralympics 2024. His return to the summit underscores resilience and sustained excellence at the highest level.
With six world crowns now to his name, Bhagat has not just defended his legacy — he has strengthened it. The question now remains: who can rise to challenge the king of SL3?
