One Week, Two Dreams Come True

Sachin Tendulkar snaps a selfie with Pramod Bhagat after their meeting.

One Week, Two Dreams Come True

When Pramod Bhagat was a child, he had two big dreams – to be a Paralympic Games champion and to meet Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Bhagat, now 33 years old, realised the former on 4 September when he defeated Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the men’s singles SL3 final 21-14 21-17 at the Yoyogi National Stadium.

On Wednesday, four days after standing atop the podium at Tokyo 2020, the world No.1 was presented with the chance to meet Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, at his residence in Mumbai.

An overjoyed Bhagat later shared snaps of his delight on his social media channels.

CHILDHOOD DREAM COMES TRUE!
I can't believe how happy I am today
as a kid I took inspiration from Sir @sachin_rt
The words you spoke to me today will stay with me forever & will keep inspiring me for life.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️
I will be sleepless tonight 😍 pic.twitter.com/KdssKlFqij

— Pramod Bhagat (@PramodBhagat83) September 8, 2021

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pramod Bhagat (@pramod.bhagat8)

Tendulkar, 48, replied with a tweet: “Even I was delighted to meet you, Pramod. It pleased me to know about your childhood. What you did for your country at the Paralympics is a very big achievement. You are a source of inspiration for the entire world, not only for India.”

Bhagat’s win was India’s first Para badminton gold at the Paralympic Games before SH6 shuttler Nagar Krishna added another a day later.

Olympic and Paralympic News

News

Players

Tournaments

One Week, Two Dreams Come True

Subscribe to BWF Newsletters

Free, personalised updates direct to your inbox.

Olympic and Paralympic News

Para World Champs: Golden Firsts for Marlina, Kozyna

Para World Champs: Peru’s Pilar of Strength

Para World Champs: Ukraine’s Kozyna Creates History

Para World Champs: Indonesia Stamp Authority

Para World Champs: Hellman/Wandschneider Script Magic in Tokyo

Para World Champs: Poveda, Coombs Advance

Para World Champs: Swiss, Japanese Ladies into Last Four

Para World Champs: Age No Barrier

Para World Champs: Satomi Dominant as Kajiwara/Murayama Crash Out

Para World Champs: Baby Not Medals on New Mum Oktila’s Mind

Para World Champs: Mazur Leads French Charge

Para World Champs: Two-time Champion McVeigh Hangs up his Racket

Para World Champs: Top Seeds off to Flier

Para World Champs: Debutants Revel in Representing their Nations

Para World Champs: Stars Return to Tokyo

2021 in Review: History-Making Para Shuttlers

Paris 2024 Paralympic Programme Announced

Paralympics Review – Showcasing the Extraordinary

Stars of the Paralympics

Tokyo 2020: Para Badminton in Stats

Review: Best Matches from Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

Para Badminton at Tokyo 2020 in Quotes | Part II

Para Badminton at Tokyo 2020 in Quotes | Part I

Double Delight for Satomi, Oktila, Qu Zimo

Father’s Memory Drives Seckin in Upset of Yamazaki

SH6 Group A on Edge

Through Sport, Study and Work, Dransfield Pushes for Change

Para Badminton Enjoys Smooth Take-Off

Milestones in Para Badminton’s Journey to Paralympics

Tokyo 2020: Para Badminton In Numbers

Three Shots at Gold

Tokyo Diary: ‘Sport Gave Me Courage’

Battle of Youth Versus Experience

Spotlight on Satomi, Liu Yu Tong

Tokyo Diary: Mroz Confident After High-Altitude Stint

Airbus Gives Toupe a Fast Ride for Tokyo 2020

For Self, State and Nation

Ready to Stand and Deliver

A Tattoo, A Reminder

Chan’s Dream Coming True 12 Years On

Alongside Old Friend, Shephard Primed for Medal Attack

Para Shuttler Leva Targets Javelin Medal in Tokyo

Paralympics Draw: Exciting Group Clashes in Store

This is Cheah Liek Hou

Choong ‘Losing Sleep Over Paralympic Excitement’

#RaiseARacket for Your Heroes These Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

Tarun Undeterred by Injury Setbacks

Qu: I Want to Hear My National Anthem

Qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Confirmed

Settled Bethell All Set to Test Mettle

‘Bello Will Always be My Biggest Inspiration’

Spanish Reunion Ignites Rosengren

Spanish Para Badminton International: Stars Set to Sparkle

Badminton Community Mourns Passing of Bello Rafiu Oyebanji

Resolute Kohli on the March Again

Ellatif, a Woman on a Mission

Dubai Para Badminton International: Positive Vibes All Around

Dubai Para Badminton International: Kozyna Surprises World Champion

Dubai Para Badminton International: Lockdown Training Pays Off

Dubai Para Badminton International: France Threatens India’s Domination

Talent From a Thousand Islands

Dubai Para Badminton International: All-Points Battle

Dubai Para Badminton International: Standing Tall

Dubai Para Badminton International: Communication Is Key in Doubles

Dubai Para Badminton International: Leading Ladies Set the Tone

Gold is Goal for Mazur, Noel

Chan: Time to Show the World What We Can Do

Para Badminton Community Rejoices, Fire Reignited

Para Badminton Tournament Calendar for 2021

Another Feather in Joshi’s 2020 Cap

BWF Considering Options for Para Badminton Restart

‘I’d Be Stuck at Home If Not for Para Badminton’

A Role Model, Time and Again