Finals day of the YONEX Para Badminton International 2025 was a celebration of elite competition, unwavering sportsmanship, and excitement from the sidelines.
With six countries represented, the arena was filled with country pride and international camaraderie. Here are today’s highlights:
FINAL MATCHES:
The highlight of the day came from the WH1-WH2 doubles.
In an all-Korean final, the two WH1 finalists, Jeong Jaegun and Park Haeseong, took on compatriots Kim Kyung Hoon and Lee Sam Seop. Jeong/Park edged out their competitors 23-21 in the first game, but a lapse in focus and cohesion in the second gave Kim/Lee an opening to equalise the match. Into the third, there was no clear favourite. With lead changes every two points, there was no telling who would win. Kim/Lee were the first to reach match point, but Jeong/Park refused to give in. In a stunning display of endurance and tenacity, the next several rallies lasted close to 60 seconds, with each side clawing back the deficit at match point. In the end, a small miscommunication between Jeong/Park decided the outcome. As the pair both reached for the shuttle, their rackets collided, giving Kim/Lee the game — and match– win at 26-24.
In the women’s singles SH6 final, Australian Katelyn Colley’s game knowledge was on full display against newcomer, Jacklynda Molidu (VAN). Continually drawing Molidu forward to hit the rearcourt, Colley completely dictated the match. As a result, Colley was rewarded with a 21-8, 21-13 win and a gold medal.
England’s Robert Donald completely dominated the MS SU5 final. His opponent, David Jack Wilson (WAL) pushed him to three in the group stages but struggled to find any momentum today. After 26 minutes, Donald was crowned champion with a 21-12, 21-6 win.
World Number 1, Sukant Kadam (IND) was unable to close out the match, losing to compatriot Surya Kant Yadav 23-21, 14-21, 21-19 in the SL4 men’s singles.
2020 Paralympic gold medalist, Pramod Bhagat (IND) clinched the men’s singes SL3 title, but not without challenge. Across the court, Manoj Sarkar (IND) made the match difficult for Bhagat, disrupting his momentum and countering his attacks. In the end, the Tokyo Paralympic champion emerged victorious, winning 21-15, 21-15.
Kadam and Bhagat returned to the court later in the day to compete in the men’s doubles SL3 -SL4 against India’s Umesh Vikram Kumar and Surya Kant Yadav. Kadam/Bhagat took an early lead and looked to close out early, however, a late surge from Kumar/Yadav in the second forced the match into three games. The battle was close, but eventually the firepower of Kadam/Bhagat proved too strong, and they fought their way to win 21-11, 19-21, 21-18.
ROUND ROBIN MATCHES:
Celine Vinot (AUS) took to the court against Manasi Girishchandra Joshi (IND). For Vinot, this was a crucial match. Caitlin Dransfield (AUS) outplayed Amonrat Jamporn (AUS) earlier in the day, meaning that if Vinot wanted the gold, she needed to win over Joshi.
Vinot looked composed in the first game, but struggled in the second as Joshi found her rhythm. In the third, Joshi led most of the game. Yet, a late charge from Vinot looked to shake things up. Unfortunately for Vinot, Joshi pushed back to take the match.
As a result, Caitlin Dransfield finished first, Vinot in second, and Joshi in third.
In the final match of the day, Robert Donald returned to the court alongside Sean O’Sullivan. Their goal: to upset provisional gold medalists Chirag Baretha and Ruthick Ragupathi (IND). Sitting in bronze position before the match, they needed a monumental effort to leapfrog into silver. Donald and O’Sullivan fought valiantly, keeping the rallies alive with saves that had the crowd on their feet. But, in the end, Baretha/Ragupathi proved too strong, winning 21-19, 18-21, 21-11.
