In a breakthrough moment for Indian para badminton, Prem Kumar Ale and Alphia James etched their names into history on Wednesday at the 2026 BWF Para-Badminton World Championships in Manama, Bahrain, guaranteeing India’s first ever medal in the wheelchair events at the sport’s premier global meet.
Played against the backdrop of intense competition and global talent, the mixed doubles pairing showcased remarkable skill and teamwork to advance into the semifinals and clinch a podium finish, a landmark achievement that marks India’s return to the para-badminton world stage in wheelchair categories after more than a decade. The championship, which runs from 8-14 February 2026 in Manama, Bahrain, brought together the world’s best para badminton athletes across multiple classifications, with wheelchair categories (WH1 and WH2) among the most fiercely contested.
Prem and Alphia’s memorable campaign gained decisive momentum with an all-Indian quarterfinal clash against compatriots Abu Hubaida and Pallavi Kaluvehalli. In front of a packed arena in Isaiah Sports City, the duo demonstrated aggressive shotmaking and sharp court awareness to record a straight-games victory, winning 21-14, 21-17, and ensuring India’s historic entry onto the medals table. Their perfect form continued as they remained unbeaten throughout the tournament up to that point, having topped their group with two successive wins and benefiting from a bye in the round of 16.
The result not only confirmed a medal but also rekindled memories of India’s last podium finish in wheelchair badminton achieved 12 years ago when Sanjeev Kumar clinched bronze in the now-discontinued men’s doubles WH2 category. The mixed doubles duo now faces their toughest obstacle yet: the World No.1 pairing of Jaime Aranguiz and To Man-Kei, a formidable Chilean-Belgian combination in Thursday’s semifinal. A win would propel them into the championship final, a historic first for India in this discipline.
This progression signifies not just a medal but potential silver or gold glory, raising hopes among Indian para badminton supporters and the broader para-sports community. While elite, the Indian duo’s blend of experience, range, and court strategy could be the key to upsetting the top seeds.
Despite the milestone in mixed doubles, India’s wider wheelchair campaign saw mixed results. Shashank Kumar (MS WH1) and Alphia James, competing in women’s singles WH2, both bowed out in the quarterfinals, falling short of medal positions. Alphia, who competed in two events at the championships, also reached the quarterfinal stage in the WH1-WH2 women’s doubles alongside partner Pallavi but were narrowly defeated in straight games by a strong Chinese pairing. Thus, Prem and Alphia’s success stands as the sole medal guaranteed for India in the wheelchair divisions at this year’s World Championships; a testament to their resilience and strategic acumen under pressure.
This historic medal inspires greater recognition for wheelchair badminton in India, a category that often receives less spotlight compared to standing classifications. The duo’s achievement not only reflects their personal dedication but also highlights the growing depth of talent nurtured within the country’s para-badminton ecosystem.
With other Indian athletes making strong strides on the continental and global stage, including a record haul at the 2025 Asian Para-Badminton Championships, the momentum for Indian para badminton is stronger than ever before.
