Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Secure Para-Badminton Medal

Indian players Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan reached the women’s doubles SL3-SU5 semifinals at the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 17 October 2026. Their semifinal berth assured India of a medal because both losing semifinalists receive bronze. The pair had won silver at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.

Women’s Doubles Result

Joshi and Murugesan defeated China’s Yuemei Liu and Tongtong Li 21-10, 21-17. It was their second consecutive Group A victory and secured a top-two group finish with one match remaining. They had earlier beaten Indonesia’s Rahayu Warining and Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh. Their final group match against China’s Yang Qiuxia and Xiao Zuxian was scheduled for 19 October 2026.

The result gave the Indian pair a medal in successive editions of the Asian Para Games. The 2023 event took place in Hangzhou, China, where they finished with silver.

Para-Badminton Classification

Para-badminton uses sport classes based on athletes’ impairments and their effect on movement. SL3 is a standing class for players with lower-limb impairments, while SU5 is a standing class for players with upper-limb impairments. The SL3-SU5 doubles event combines players from these two classes.

Other classes include SL4 for standing players with less severe lower-limb impairments and SH6 for players of short stature. Wheelchair classes include WH1 and WH2, which distinguish players by the extent of impairment affecting trunk and lower-limb function.

Competition Context

Badminton matches are played as best-of-three games, with each game normally won by the first side to reach 21 points, subject to the two-point lead rule. Para-badminton became a Paralympic sport at Tokyo 2020. The Asian Para Games is a multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities from Asian countries.

Important Facts for Exams

• Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan won silver in women’s doubles at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
• SL3 is a standing class associated with lower-limb impairment, while SU5 is a standing class associated with upper-limb impairment.
• SH6 is the para-badminton class for players of short stature.
• Para-badminton made its Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

The women’s doubles event discussed here is classified SL3-SU5. The Indian pair’s semifinal place secured at least a bronze medal.