Did you know that the world’s fastest racket sport is badminton? And it’s among the most popular sports, particularly in India! The Indian badminton players achieved incredible feats and raised the benchmark. Do you recall the first time an Indian badminton player won the All England Championship? It was Prakash Padukone. And P.V. Sindhu was the first Indian female badminton player to win the Badminton World Championship.
In the same way that these Indian badminton players have evolved, the following ten players stand out and have brought pride to our nation.
Top 10 Indian Badminton Players
01. Prakash Padukone
There is no need to introduce the legendary legend Prakash Padukone! And he has gained a lot of respect in the Indian badminton community for being one of the most well-known players.
Under his father Ramesh Padukone’s tutelage, he started off on his journey. In 1962, he participated in his first official tournament and lost in the first round of the Karnataka State Junior Championship. But ultimately won in 1964 to win the title. In 1971, he started playing in an aggressive manner. His first major international victory came in 1978 when he won the gold medal in men’s singles at the Commonwealth Games in Canada.
And at last, in 1980, he achieved the honor of being the first male Indian badminton player to win the All England Championship men’s single title. In addition to playing, he is one of the founding members of the Olympics Gold Quest, an initiative dedicated to encouraging Olympic sports in India.
02. P.V Sindhu
P.V. Sindhu is an outstanding female badminton player of India. Since making her debut in 2009, she has been the most successful sportsperson in India, winning medals and showing her talent.
She became the first-ever Indian badminton player to win the championship when she won the Asian Junior Championship in 2012. Additionally, she entered the top 20 in the world rankings of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). She is the second woman in history to win five or more singles medals in the sport, winning five medals overall at the BWF World Championships.
In women’s singles badminton, Sindhu became the first Indian woman and only the fourth player to win two medals at the same Olympic Games. Additionally, she made history by becoming the first female Indian badminton player to win the badminton championship as well as various tournaments. Including the China Open and BWF World Tour Finals.
03. Saina Nehwal
The Indian badminton player changed the scene by bringing home the bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics, the country’s first Olympic medal in badminton. Indian female badminton player Saina Nehwal is well-known for being ranked number one and for having won 24 international championships in her professional career.
She is the only Indian to have won at least one medal in every BWF major individual event, namely the Olympics, the BWF World Championships, and the BWF World Junior Championships. Furthermore, she is the first Indian woman to win a Super Series title.
Nehwal, regarded as the most well-known badminton player in India, is credited with having contributed to the game’s rise in popularity. She also made history at the Commonwealth Games by becoming the first Indian badminton player to win two gold medals in singles.
04. Lakshya Sen
Presently, Lakshya Sen is a well-known badminton player in India. In juniors, he held the first spot in the world rankings. Lakshya overtook his mentor Prakash Padukone as he became the youngest player to reach the Indian national men’s singles final at the age of 15.
He has won bronze at the World Junior Championships. Gold and silver at the Asia Junior Championships, and gold and silver in the Youth Olympic Games. Sen also has won gold and silver medals at the Commonwealth Games, gold and silver at the Asian Games. Bronze at the World Championships, and gold at the Thomas Cup.
In addition, he has improved his defense, net dribbling, and all-around game. He is renowned for his offensive instincts and strong hits.
05. Chirag Shetty
Indian badminton player Chirag Shetty is well-known for his partnerships with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. This duo became the only doubles pair in India to become No. 1 in the BWF World Ranking and win the BWF World Tour 1000 series.
The duo created history in Indian doubles badminton by being the first badminton players from India to win gold at the Asian Games. They also won a bronze medal at the 1992 BWF World Championships and the gold in men’s doubles at the Commonwealth Games. In addition, they took home several more championships from the Korean Open, Indonesia Open, Swiss Open, and Badminton Asian Championships.
In 2020 and 2023, Chirag Shetty received the Arjuna Award and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, respectively, for his achievements in badminton.
06. Parupalli Kashyap
Despite having asthma, Parupalli Kashyap, an iconic player for the Indian badminton team. Had earlier held the sixth-best ranking in the world and succeeded in several amazing feats.
As the first male Indian badminton player to reach the men’s singles quarterfinals at the 2012 Summer Olympics, he made history. In the same year, the Indian government also gave him the Arjuna award. Later at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he won the gold medal in men’s singles.
He is a well-known player who practices at the Gopichand academy under Pullela Gopichand’s coaching.
07. Satwiksairaj Rankirreddy
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy is another famous Indian badminton player. Who achieved a Guinness World Record for the fastest ever hit by a male player with a unique smash technique in badminton at 565 km/h. He is well-known for his partnerships with Chirag Shetty. Also this duo became the only doubles pair in India to become No. 1 in the BWF World Ranking and win the BWF World Tour 1000 series.
The duo created history in Indian doubles badminton by being the first badminton players from India to win gold at the Asian Games. They also won a bronze medal at the 1992 BWF World Championships. And the gold in men’s doubles at the Commonwealth Games. In addition, they took home several more championships from the Korean Open, Indonesia Open, Swiss Open, and Badminton Asian Championships.
Similar to Shetty, he has also been acknowledged for his badminton achievements with the Arjuna Award and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna.
08. Kidambi Srikant
Kidambi Srikant, an Indian badminton player, was once ranked as the world’s top player. K. Nandagopal, Srikanth’s elder brother, is a skilled badminton player who has appeared with him in junior national championships. Up until 2008, they lived together. Srikanth then moved to the Gopichand Academy to continue his training.
By defeating Lin Dan in the China Open Super Series Premier men’s singles final, Kidambi created history as the first Indian to do so. In addition to winning the India Open Super Series, he made history as the first Indian man to win gold at the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold. In 2017, he also won four Super Series titles. Furthermore, he became the first male badminton player from India to make it to the World Championship finals. He was honored with the Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award.
09. Pullela Gopichand
Currently serving as the Chief National Coach for the Indian badminton team, Pullela Gopichand is an undefeated player from India.
After winning the National Badminton Championship for the first time in 1996, he carried on to win it for five years in a row until 2000, demonstrating his dominance. After Prakash Padukone, he became the second Indian badminton player to win the All England Open Badminton Championships.
He is the founder of Gopichand badminton academy. Additionally, he is the only coach from India to get the International Olympic Committee’s “Honorable Mention” at the 2019 Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards. For his excellent accomplishments, he has also been given the Padma Bhushan, Dronacharya, Khel Ratna, and Arjuna awards.
10. Nandu Natekar
The best-known sportsman in India, Nandu Natekar, has been referred to as the “God of Indian Badminton.”
Over the course of a 15-year career, Natekar won over 100 national and international titles for India. In 1956, Natekar became the first Indian to win a title overseas. Natekar directed Natekar Sports and Fitness (NSF). Also he won the national championships in men’s doubles, men’s singles, and mixed doubles.
In addition to receiving the Arjuna Award, he made history by becoming the first Indian to win an international title. Which he achieved by winning the men’s singles title at the 1956 Canadian Open.
Outlining their incredible journey, these are the top 10 badminton champions. Along with their inspirational achievements and historic wins, these athletes have gained attention on a national and international level. For their outstanding talent, determination, and sportsmanship.
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