Pramod wins Gold, Sukant wins 100th medal as NKBA Celebrates Double Success in Japan
Pune, 17 September 2026: It was a double celebration for the Nikhil Kanetkar Badminton Academy (NKBA) as its star para shuttlers Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam combined to win three medals at the Japan Para Badminton International 2026.
Pramod Bhagat emerged victorious in the Men’s Singles, winning the Gold medal after defeating U Kumar 21–16, 21–8 in the final. Earlier in the semifinals, Bhagat defeated Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara 21-11, 21-16 to come one step closer to the title. He added a Silver medal in Men’s Doubles after partnering with fellow NKBA player Sukant Kadam.
Sukant, meanwhile, secured Silver in Men’s Singles SL4 after reaching the final, where he went down to France’s L Mazur 21–8, 21–16. His performance also saw him achieve a major career milestone, with the two Silver medals taking his tally to 100 international medals.
Nikhil Kanetkar, Founder of NKBA, said, “Pramod Bhagat is a legend in Para Badminton and his Gold Medal wins are great inspiration to all and he is always encouraging all Indian players to do well. Also, it has been very heartening to see Sukant winning his 100th International Medal. It is a culmination of over a decade of hard work, self-belief and hunger to excel inspite of any hardships and setbacks which he faced. Sukant’s journey to 100 Medals is an inspiration to every young aspiring player.”
For Pramod, the Gold and Silver medals come at an important stage of his preparations for the Asian Para Games 2026. “Winning Gold and Silver at the Japan Para Badminton International 2026 is a proud moment for me and an important step in my preparation for the Asian Para Games 2026. A special thanks to Nikhil Kanetkar sir for his constant guidance and encouragement,” said Pramod.
Sukant described his 100-medal milestone as a dream come true. “It’s an incredible feeling to see this dream become a reality. Every medal carries years of hard work, sacrifices and the belief to keep going. I’m truly grateful to everyone who stood by me throughout this journey. A special thank you to NKBA for always believing in me and supporting me at every step,” said Sukant.
The strong showing in Japan adds to the growing list of international achievements by the NKBA duo. While Pramod’s Gold-Silver haul provides a boost ahead of the Asian Para Games, Sukant’s 100-medal landmark represents a significant chapter in his international career.
Earlier at the Bahrain BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2026 in February, India delivered a spectacular performance with 2 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze medals. Making the nation proud, both gold medals were won by NKBA champions. Pramod Bhagat etched his name in history with a record 6th World Title in Men’s Singles SL3, defeating Muh Al Imran 21-12, 21-18. He then partnered with Sukant Kadam to capture the Men’s Doubles SL3–SL4 gold, overcoming fellow Indians Jagadesh Dilli and Naveen Sivakumar 21-11, 22-11 in a commanding final.
The performances also highlight NKBA’s continued contribution to the development of high-performance badminton and its commitment to nurturing athletes who compete successfully on the global stage.
