Tokyo Paralympics Champion Pramod Bhagat Suspended for 18 Months, to Miss Paris Paralympic Games

New Delhi: Pramod Bhagat, the celebrated para shuttler who won gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, has been handed an 18-month suspension by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) due to multiple whereabouts failures. This suspension, announced on Tuesday, will result in Bhagat missing the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games.

The BWF revealed that Bhagat violated anti-doping regulations by committing three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division initially ruled on March 1, 2024, that Bhagat had breached these rules, leading to his suspension.

Despite Bhagat’s appeal to the CAS Appeals Division, the decision was upheld on July 29, 2024, confirming his period of ineligibility. This ruling underscores the strict enforcement of anti-doping policies and the significant repercussions for non-compliance.

Pramod Bhagat, who competes in the SL3 category, made headlines at the Tokyo Paralympics by winning the gold medal in men’s singles, triumphing over Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the final. His suspension is a significant blow to both his career and the Indian para-badminton community, as he will be unable to defend his title at the Paris Games.