Bilaspur’s Abhijeet Sakhuja Rises to 6th in Para Badminton

Bilaspur’s para-badminton player Abhijeet Sakhuja has gained attention for his performances in the SL4 category and his participation in India’s international para-badminton circuit. The reported development mentions a 6th position in the BWF world ranking and selection for an Asian para-sport event; however, these two specific claims should be treated cautiously unless supported by an official ranking or selection document.

Why in News?

Bilaspur’s para-badminton player Abhijeet Sakhuja has recently come into focus for his performances in the SL4 category and his association with India’s international para-badminton circuit. 

Important Facts

• Athlete: Abhijeet Sakhuja
• Hometown: Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
• Sport: Para badminton
• Primary classification: SL4
• Men’s Singles: SL4
• Men’s Doubles: SL3–SL4
• National representation: India
• International governing body: Badminton World Federation (BWF)

What is Para Badminton?

• Para badminton is an adapted form of badminton for athletes with eligible disabilities. 
• It follows the basic principles of badminton but uses a sport-specific classification system and, in some classes, modified court dimensions to ensure fair competition.

Key Features

• Global governing body: Badminton World Federation (BWF).
• Indian para-sport framework: Para badminton operates within India’s wider Paralympic sports system.
• Events: Singles, doubles and mixed doubles, depending on the classification and competition regulations.
• Classification: Athletes are grouped according to the functional impact of their eligible impairment on badminton.
• Court: Court dimensions and boundaries vary according to the sport class.
• Rankings: BWF maintains international para-badminton rankings used in competition and seeding systems.

Classification System

Important Fact

• Abhijeet Sakhuja competes in the SL4 class.
• SL = Standing Lower Limb.
• SL4 athletes compete standing and have an eligible lower-limb impairment.
• In SL4 singles, athletes use the full court.
• In SL3 singles, a modified half-court is used because of the greater impact of the impairment on movement.

Important Institutions and Stakeholders

1. Badminton World Federation (BWF)

• International governing body for badminton and para badminton.
• Has governed para badminton since 2011.
• Maintains the BWF Para Badminton World Rankings.
• Regulates international competitions and para-badminton rules.
• Organises the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships.

2. International Paralympic Committee (IPC)

• Global organisation at the centre of the Paralympic Movement.
• Provides the broader international framework for Paralympic sport.
• Works with international federations responsible for individual para sports.

3. Asian Paralympic Committee

• Regional body associated with the Asian Para Games.
• The Asian Para Games are the major continental multi-sport competition for athletes with disabilities in Asia.

4. Paralympic Committee of India (PCI)

• India’s National Paralympic Committee.
• Represents India within the Paralympic Movement.
• Plays an important role in India’s participation in major para-sport events.

5. Para Badminton Association of India

• National-level body associated with the development of para badminton in India.
• Works within the international and national para-sport framework.

6. Sports Authority of India (SAI) & Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

• Support athletes through programmes involving training, coaching, infrastructure and athlete development.
• Selected elite athletes may receive assistance through programmes such as TOPS, subject to eligibility.

7. State-Level Bodies

• State sports departments and sports associations can contribute to grassroots athlete development.
• Departments dealing with sports and persons with disabilities can also play a role in state-level support and inclusion.

Key Facts About Para Badminton

• BWF governance: Para badminton has been governed by BWF since 2011.
• Paralympic debut: Tokyo 2020, which was held in 2021 after postponement because of COVID-19.
• Sport classes: Six
  • WH1
  • WH2
  • SL3
  • SL4
  • SU5
  • SH6
• Major competition formats: Men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles, depending on classification combinations.
• Classification is sport-specific: An athlete’s class is determined according to how the eligible impairment affects performance in para badminton.

Abhijeet Sakhuja — Important Facts

Abhijeet Sakhuja is a para-badminton player from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, competing primarily in the SL4 category.

Verified achievements

• Competed in men’s singles SL4.
• Has also competed in men’s doubles SL3–SL4.
• Won gold in men’s doubles SL3–SL4 with Nehal Gupta at the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain.
• Won silver in men’s singles SL4 at the Khelo India Para Games 2023.
• Reached the men’s singles SL4 semifinal at the Uganda Para Badminton International 2024.
• Won bronze in men’s doubles SL3–SL4 with Mohammad Arwaz Ansari at the Badminton Asia Para Badminton Championships 2025 in Thailand.
• Participated in the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai in men’s SL4 and SL3–SL4 doubles.

About Abhijeet Sakhuja

Important Verification Note

• The reported 6th BWF ranking should NOT be treated as an independently confirmed fact unless an official BWF ranking document supports it.

Important 2026 Events

Particularly Important

• The 2026 Asian Para Games will be the 5th edition.
• They are scheduled for 18–24 October 2026 in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan.
• The event will include para badminton.
• The 2026 Asian Games and Asian Para Games are separate events, although both are being hosted in Aichi–Nagoya.

What are the Asian Games?

• The Asian Games, popularly called the Asiad, are a major multi-sport event for athletes from countries and territories of Asia.
• They are organised under the framework of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
• The Asian Games include sports such as athletics, swimming, badminton, shooting and many others.
• They are different from the Asian Para Games, which are specifically for athletes with disabilities.
• The Asian Games 2026 are scheduled for 19 September–4 October 2026 in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan.

Asian Games vs Asian Para Games

Important: Do not confuse the Asian Games with the Asian Para Games. Para badminton belongs to the Asian Para Games programme.

What is the Asian Para Games?

• The Asian Para Games are the continental multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities in Asia.
• The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) is the regional body associated with the event.
• The 2026 edition in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan will include para badminton.

Simple institutional chain

• BWF → Badminton and Para Badminton

• IPC → Global Paralympic Movement

• APC → Asian Para Games

• OCA → Asian Games

2026 Asian Games vs Asian Para Games

BWF: The Organisation Behind World Badminton

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the international governing body for badminton and para badminton.

It is responsible for international rules, competitions and ranking systems.

BWF at a glance

• Full form: Badminton World Federation
• Sport: Badminton and para badminton
• Role: International governing body
• Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Major competitions: BWF World Championships, Thomas Cup, Uber Cup, Sudirman Cup and international para-badminton competitions.

What is the BWF World Championships?

The BWF World Championships are among the most prestigious individual badminton championships.

They feature:

• Men’s Singles
• Women’s Singles
• Men’s Doubles
• Women’s Doubles
• Mixed Doubles

The championship is different from regular BWF World Tour events.

Winning the event makes the player or pair the World Champion in the respective discipline.

BWF World Championships 2026 — Key Facts

Important: The BWF World Championships are a major badminton championship but are separate from the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships.

India’s Para-Badminton Rise

• India has developed into a major international para-badminton nation.
• Para badminton made its Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020, giving Indian athletes a global platform.
• At Paris 2024, Kumar Nitesh won the men’s singles SL3 gold medal, defeating Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the final. He followed Pramod Bhagat, who had won the same event at Tokyo 2020.
• India’s overall Paris 2024 Paralympic campaign produced 29 medals — 7 gold, 9 silver and 13 bronze.

Important Indian Para-Badminton Names

• Pramod Bhagat — Tokyo 2020 men’s singles SL3 gold medallist.
• Kumar Nitesh — Paris 2024 men’s singles SL3 gold medallist.
• Krishna Nagar — Paralympic champion in SH6.
• Manisha Ramadass — prominent SU5 para-badminton player.
• Nithya Sre Sivan — prominent SH6 player.
• Palak Kohli — prominent SL4 player.
• Sukant Kadam — Indian para-badminton player in the SL classification.
• Abhijeet Sakhuja — Chhattisgarh-linked SL4 player.

India at the 2025 Asian Para Badminton Championships

The Badminton Asia Para Badminton Championships 2025 were held in Thailand from 17–22 June 2025.

India won a record 27 medals at the championship:

• Gold: 4
• Silver: 10
• Bronze: 13

Abhijeet Sakhuja and Mohammad Arwaz Ansari won bronze in men’s doubles SL3–SL4.

This achievement is particularly relevant because it places a player from Chhattisgarh within India’s successful Asian para-badminton campaign.

Thailand Para-Badminton International 2025

The Thailand event should be distinguished from the Badminton Asia Para Badminton Championships held later in the same month.

NSDF Thailand Para Badminton International 2025

Important: This tournament and the 2025 Badminton Asia Para Badminton Championships are separate competitions.

2025 Thailand Para-Badminton Events

Quick Revision Points

Para badminton = badminton adapted for athletes with eligible disabilities + classification for fair competition.

• Governing body: BWF
• BWF governance of para badminton: Since 2011
• Paralympic debut: Tokyo 2020, held in 2021
• Sport classes: 6
• Wheelchair: WH1, WH2
• Standing Lower Limb: SL3, SL4
• Standing Upper Limb: SU5
• Short Stature: SH6
• Abhijeet Sakhuja: SL4
• Home state: Chhattisgarh
• Major verified early achievement: 2021 Asian Youth Para Games men’s doubles SL3–SL4 gold
• Major recent verified achievement: 2025 Asian Para Badminton Championships men’s doubles SL3–SL4 bronze
• 2026 Asian Games: Aichi–Nagoya, Japan
• 2026 Asian Para Games: Aichi–Nagoya, Japan
• Asian Para Games: 18–24 October 2026
• BWF World Championships 2026: New Delhi, 17–23 August 2026