Indian para-badminton pair Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan have secured a semifinal berth in the women's doubles SL3-SU5 category at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya. The victory ensures India a place on the podium, as both losing semifinalists are awarded a bronze medal. This achievement marks the second consecutive edition where the duo has successfully reached the final four, having previously claimed a silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in 2023.
During their group stage match on Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Indian pair delivered a clinical performance, defeating the Chinese duo of Yuemei Liu and Tongtong Li with a scoreline of 21-10, 21-17. This win marked their second successive victory in the tournament, having already overcome the Indonesian team of Rahayu Warining and Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh in their opening match on Friday. Their current performance guarantees a top-two finish in Group A, even with one group match still remaining against the Chinese pair of Yang Qiuxia and Xiao Zuxian on Monday.
The SL3-SU5 doubles event is specifically classified as a combined standing category, encompassing athletes with either lower- or upper-limb impairments. Beyond the success of Joshi and Thulasimathi, India saw significant activity across various other para-badminton categories on the same day. Tokyo Paralympics champion Krishna Nagar confirmed his own quarterfinal berth in the men’s singles SH6 category for short-statured players, securing his second consecutive win by defeating Indonesia's Subhan 21-13, 21-15.
The Indian contingent maintained a strong presence in the singles events as well. Paris Paralympics champion Nitesh Kumar and Tokyo Paralympics winner Pramod Bhagat demonstrated their form in the men's singles SL3 category, which features standing players with lower-limb impairments. Nitesh Kumar cruised past Thailand's Natthapol Chamnanwet, while Bhagat secured a win over China's Xiong Lichuan. Similar success was noted in the men's singles SL4 and SU5 categories, with players like Naveen Sivakumar, Surya Kant Yadav, and Ruthick Ragupathi registering wins.
The tournament also highlighted performances in the wheelchair categories, where Prem Kumar Ale achieved a hard-fought victory in the men's singles WH1 category against the UAE’s Omair Younas. In the WH2 classification, Haris Mythili emerged victorious against Indonesian opponent Wiwin Andri. Despite the breadth of these wins, the Indian squad also faced some challenges, particularly in the women's singles SL3 and SL4 categories, where several players were defeated by international competitors.
Mixed results also characterized the doubles matches outside of the women’s SL3-SU5 event. While Alphia James and Prem Kumar Ale secured a win in the mixed doubles WH1-WH2, other Indian pairs faced setbacks in their respective categories. The focus now shifts toward the upcoming knockout stages, where the assured medal for Joshi and Thulasimathi provides a significant boost to the national tally.
As the competition in Nagoya progresses, the Indian athletes are expected to continue their campaign with the remaining group matches and subsequent quarterfinal and semifinal fixtures. The systematic success of athletes like Joshi, Thulasimathi, and Nagar underscores the depth of India's para-badminton talent on the continental stage, setting a high benchmark as they aim to convert these semifinal appearances into higher finishes on the podium.
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