Tokyo Paralympics gold-medalist, Pramod Bhagat believes Padma Shri will inspire him to perform better at the Asian Games

Pramod Bhagat said that it is a truly humbling experience to be awarded the Padma Shri and it will inspire him to earn more laurels for his country.

Tokyo Paralympics Gold Medalist, Pramod Bhagat said that the Padma Shri award will inspire him to perform better and put in extra efforts in training for Asian Games.

Pramod Bhagat has been awarded Padma Shri on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day.

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The 33-year-old said that it is a truly humbling experience to be awarded the Padma Shri and it will inspire him to earn more laurels for his country.

“This will inspire me to strive harder and put in extra efforts in training and Asian Games and World Championships which are scheduled for this year”, Pramod said to ANI.

He has also been awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for Para-badminton in 2021 and Arjuna Award for Para-Badminton in 2019.

He is busy training in pain for Asian Games and World Championships, and with Paralympics coming in 2024, this year has become even more important for the para shuttlers.

At the age of 15, he played his first tournament against normal category players. He was encouraged by the spectators which motivated him to progress in his Badminton career. He is a three-time world champion and is currently ranked no.1 in para-badminton men’s singles. He has also won a gold medal at the Asian Para Games 2018.