India gets a shock before Paralympics 2024, Tokyo gold medalist shuttler Pramod Bhagat suspended

Tokyo Paralympic gold medalist para-shuttler Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for 18 months after being found guilty of violating anti-doping rules. He will no longer be a part of the Paris Paralympics. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) gave this information on Tuesday. BWF said in a statement that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirms that India's Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for 18 months. He will not participate in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The BWF said the Court of Arbitration (CAS) has found Bhagat guilty of violating the BWF Anti-Doping Rules for not providing information about his whereabouts three times within 12 months. Bhagat, who competes in the SL3 category, appealed the decision to CAS, but CAS upheld the decision and confirmed the suspension.

Earlier this year, Bhagat retained his gold medal at the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships in Thailand. The win not only made him the first para-athlete to win three consecutive gold medals at the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships but also equaled Chinese Lin Dan's record of five titles at the World Championships.

Pramod Bhagat has won gold medals in 2009, 2015, 2019, 2022 and 2024. With three consecutive gold medals, his medal tally has gone up to 14, including six gold, three silver, and five bronze medals across all categories.