4 Nations Finals Preview: Bethell and Bhagat face off
5 August, 2023
Daniel Bethell and Pramod Bhagat will write the latest chapter of their great rivalry when they face off in the 4 Nations Para Badminton International final on Sunday.
SL3 stars Bethell and Bhagat have looked almost untouchable so far in Sheffield, and the world’s two best players will again battle each other for gold in a blockbuster encounter.
Bhagat won the most significant meeting between the two in the Paralympic Games final two years ago, but Bethell has had the edge recently, with the world No.1 hoping to claim the title on home soil.
Also hoping to be crowned champions at their home tournament are Jack Shephard and Rachel Choong, who will take on Subhan Subhan and Rina Marlina in the SH6 mixed doubles final.
While, after victories over compatriot Shephard and Miles Krajewski, Krysten Coombs will go for one of the biggest titles of his career when he faces Krishna Nagar in the men’s SH6 singles final.
It is a first final of the season for Coombs, who will be an underdog against world No.1 Nagar, the Indian having looked impressive all week in Sheffield.
Meanwhile, there is also a Paralympic final rematch between Sarina Satomi and Sujirat Pookkham in the women’s WH1 singles final.
Satomi has been dominant all week, not dropping a single game, though will face a stern test in the form of Pookham, the 37-year-old channelling the form that took her to the world title back in 2009.
After the best win of her career in Saturday’s semi-finals, Norway’s Helle Sofie Sagoey will look to claim the women’s SL4 singles crown.
Sagoey defeated world No.1 Leani Ratri Oktila from a game down in their semi-final, and now faces Japan’s Haruka Fujino in an intriguing final.
Alongside facing Bethell in his singles final, Bhagat and partner Manisha Ramadass take on Hikmat Ramdani and Oktila in the SL3/SU5 mixed doubles gold medal match.
Also playing in two finals on Sunday is Pilar Jauregui, the Peruvian facing Yuma Yamazaki in the women’s WH2 singles final, before she joins forces with Yuri Ferrigno for the doubles final versus Choi Jungman and Lee Sun Ae.
The 4 Nations is being held with special thanks to Yonex – the Official Equipment Partner of the 4 Nations Para Badminton International.
A full rundown of Sunday’s finals can be found here.