India’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold medalist Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for 18 months for violating anti-doping regulations and will not compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, according to the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“On 1 March 2024, the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division found Bhagat in breach of the BWF anti-doping regulations for committing three whereabouts failures within 12 months,” a BWF statement read.
“Bhagat, an SL3 athlete, appealed this decision to the CAS Appeals Division. On 29 July 2024, the CAS Appeals Division dismissed the Bhagat’s appeal and confirmed the CAS Anti-Doping Division decision of 1 March 2024,” the statement added.
Bhagat clinched a gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 category at the Tokyo Paralympics, defeating Daniel Bethell of Great Britain in the final. The 35-year-old came from behind to win 14-21, 21-15, 21-15 in a grueling match that lasted about an hour and 40 minutes. With this victory, Bhagat claimed his fourth singles world title, having previously won in 2015, 2019, and 2022.
He also has a men’s doubles gold medal from the 2013 championships. However, he will not be able to defend his titles this time around.
Reacting to this, Indian para-badminton head coach Gaurav Khanna told PTI : “It is extremely sad and unfortunate. He was a sure shot medal for India at the Paralympics but he is a fighter and I am sure he will come back stronger.”
Bhagat, who contracted polio at the age of five, resulting in a disability affecting his left leg, is also a two-time Asian Games gold medalist and currently holds the world No. 3 ranking in his category.
