Badminton: International Stars Outclass Hosts at Lugogo Arena

By Kayiira Jackson 

India once again stamped its authority on the 2026 Uganda International Badminton Challenge, successfully defending its dominance as Team Uganda failed to make a significant impact at the five-day tournament that climaxed on Sunday at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala.

The annual championship attracted 39 countries and delivered high-intensity action across five categories. However, it was India that walked away with the overall bragging rights after collecting three gold medals and one silver and a bronze— an improvement from their 2025 tally of three gold and one silver.

India secured gold medals in men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles, underlining their depth and consistency on the international stage.

In mixed doubles, Ishaan Bhatnagar and Shruti Mishra defeated fellow Indians Nithin H.V and Srinidhi Narayanan to claim gold and silver respectively. Australia’s Andika Ramadiansyah and Nozomi Shimizu, alongside Algeria’s Koceila Mammeri and Tanina Violette Mammeri, took bronze.

The men’s doubles final was an all-Indian affair, with Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu emerging victorious over Pruthvi Krishnammurthy Roy and Sai Pratheek K. Singapore’s pairs of Eng Keat Wesley Koh and Junsuke Kubo, and Donovan Willard Wee with Jia Hao Howin Wong, settled for bronze.

In women’s singles, India dominated the podium. Anupama Upadhaya clinched gold, defeating compatriot Mansi Singh in the final, while Vennala Kalagotla and Surya Charisma Tamiri secured bronze medals.

Australia finished second overall after claiming one gold and one bronze medal. Karono Karono won the men’s singles title, beating Israel’s Misha Zilberman in the final. India’s Lakshay Sharma and Saneeth Dayanand earned bronze.

The United States also impressed, securing gold in women’s doubles through Lauren Lam and Allison Quynh Lee, who defeated India’s Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi in the final. India added two bronze medals in the category, while Italy’s Martina Corsini and Emma Piccinin also claimed bronze.

Uganda’s Struggles Continue

Despite home advantage, Uganda’s campaign ended in disappointment once again. No Ugandan player progressed beyond the quarterfinal stage.

Uganda’s top seed in the women’s category and 2026 All Africa Senior Badminton gold medalist, Fadilah Shamika, was eliminated in the round of 16. Gladys Mbabazi exited earlier in the round of 32, highlighting the continued gap between local players and international competition.

The tournament remains a stern test for Ugandan shuttlers, who are yet to break into the medal brackets at this prestigious event.

Junior Tournament Up Next

Attention now shifts to the Uganda Junior International Tournament, scheduled for 23rd to 25th February 2026, also at Lugogo Indoor Arena, where Uganda’s young talents will have another opportunity to shine on home soil.

As India continues to dominate and other nations rise, Uganda faces renewed pressure to convert home advantage into podium finishes in future editions.

Winners’ Tally
Mixed Doubles
Gold: Ishaan Bhatnagar / Shruti Mishra (India)
Silver: Nithin H.V / Srinidhi Narayanan (India)
Bronze: Andika Ramadiansyah / Nozomi Shimizu (Australia) | Koceila Mammeri / Tanina Violette Mammeri (Algeria)

Women’s Doubles
Gold: Lauren Lam / Allison Quynh Lee (USA)
Silver: Kavipriya Selvam / Simran Singhi (India)
Bronze: Ashwini Bhat K / Shikha Gautam (India) | Martina Corsini / Emma Piccinin (Italy)

Men’s Doubles
Gold: Bhargav Ram Arigela / Viswa Tej Gobburu (India)
Silver: Pruthvi Krishnammurthy Roy / Sai Pratheek K (India)
Bronze: Eng Keat Wesley Koh / Junsuke Kubo (Singapore) | Donovan Willard Wee / Jia Hao Howin Wong (Singapore)

Women’s Singles
Gold: Anupama Upadhaya (India)
Silver: Mansi Singh (India)
Bronze: Vennala Kalagotla (India) | Surya Charisma Tamiri (India)

Men’s Singles
Gold: Karono Karono (Australia)
Silver: Misha Zilberman (Israel)
Bronze: Lakshay Sharma (India) | Saneeth Dayanand (India)