India’s renowned para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat has been banned for 18 months by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for violating anti-doping regulations. The ban, effective immediately, will prevent Bhagat from participating in the upcoming Paris Paralympics 2024. The BWF confirmed this decision on Tuesday, August 13.
The sanction follows a ruling by the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on March 1, 2024, which found Bhagat guilty of committing three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period. Bhagat, a celebrated SL3 athlete, had appealed this decision to the CAS Appeals Division, but his appeal was denied on July 29, 2024.
Bhagat’s historic achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics—where he won India’s first gold medal in badminton at the event—highlighted his remarkable talent and determination. Born in 1988, Bhagat developed polio at age five, which affected his left leg. Despite this challenge, he began playing badminton at 13 and rose to prominence with his exceptional skills and strategic play.
At Tokyo 2020, Bhagat triumphed in the men’s singles SL3 category by defeating Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell with scores of 21-14, 21-17. His victory not only secured India’s fourth gold medal at the Games but also set a significant milestone in Indian para-badminton.
The recent ban is a setback for Bhagat, whose inspiring journey has made him a role model for athletes worldwide.
