Badminton

Indian Para Badminton Team Aims for 10 Medals at Paris Paralympics Despite Bhagat's SuspensionLUCKNOW: The Badminton World Federation's (BWF) 18-month suspension of Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist Pramod Bhagat for whereabouts failures has not dampened the spirits of the Indian para badminton team bound for Paris. Chief national coach Gaurav Khanna remains confident that the team can win 10 medals, including three golds, at the upcoming Games."We were aware of the action against Bhagat and had planned our training accordingly. His absence won't affect our plans," Khanna said. "I am sure our shuttlers will win 10 medals, including three golds."India won four medals in badminton at the Tokyo Paralympics, including two golds. Since then, Indian players have dominated at the international level, winning over 500 medals, including 18 at the World Championships and 21 at the Asian Para Games."We started from scratch three years before Tokyo with no hope of medals. Today, our shuttlers have won over 1000 medals at the national and international levels," said Khanna, a Dronacharya and Padma Shri awardee.Seven para-shuttlers have been undergoing intensive training in Lucknow since July, dedicating around 10 hours a day. "It helps us plan our training well and rectify our mistakes," said Palak Kohli, a 2024 World Championships bronze medalist.Kohli, who will compete in the women's singles SL4 category and mixed doubles, said she has learned from the Tokyo Paralympics and is determined to win a medal in Paris. "I have faced many challenges, but I never lost focus on winning. I am confident I will achieve my target this time," said Kohli.Khanna praised the team's hard work and dedication. "We have chalked out our strategy based on our rivals in each category. Every shuttler has been asked to study their opponents' videos and work on their shortcomings," he said.

Tokyo Paralympic gold medalist Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for 18 months due to whereabouts failures, effectively barring him from competing in the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced the suspension on Tuesday, citing Bhagat's violation of anti-doping regulations.Bhagat, an SL3 athlete, was found to have committed three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period. This breach of regulations resulted in a suspension from March 1, 2024, as determined by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division.Bhagat appealed the decision to the CAS Appeals Division, but his appeal was dismissed on July 29, 2024. The CAS Appeals Division upheld the original suspension, which is now in effect.Bhagat's suspension is a significant blow to the Indian para badminton team. He is a highly decorated athlete, having won a gold medal in the men's singles SL3 category at the Tokyo Paralympics. He also holds multiple World Championships and Asian Para Games titles.The suspension highlights the importance of adhering to anti-doping regulations in sports. Whereabouts failures occur when an athlete fails to provide accurate information about their location for drug testing purposes. This can hinder the effectiveness of anti-doping programs and undermine the integrity of competition.Bhagat's suspension serves as a reminder that all athletes, regardless of their status or achievements, must comply with anti-doping rules. The consequences of violating these regulations can be severe, as evidenced by Bhagat's ineligibility for the Paris Paralympic Games.