Alphia James and Pallavi Kaluvehalli Win Historic Asian Para Games Wheelchair Badminton Bronze

India’s Alphia James and Pallavi Kaluvehalli earned a historic bronze medal in the women’s doubles WH1-WH2 wheelchair badminton event at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan.

A milestone for Indian wheelchair badminton

The pair reached the semi-finals, securing India’s first wheelchair badminton medal at the Asian Para Games. They were beaten 21-3, 21-9 by China’s Xu Tingting and Yang Fang in their semi-final on 21 October.

James, from Kerala, and Kaluvehalli, from Karnataka, have both overcome major injuries on their paths into para badminton. Their result marked an important breakthrough for India’s wheelchair badminton programme.

Looking ahead

Both athletes have spoken about ambitions to compete for further international honours, including at the 2028 Paralympic Games.

Sources: The Telegraph, 23 October 2026; Onmanorama, 22 October 2026.