Badminton
From Ravulapalem to world No 1 – Kidambi Srikanth's meteoric rise
Kidambi Srikanth is the first Indian men's singles shuttler to reach the final of BWF World Championships.
Kidambi Srikanth. (File Photo)
Badminton has offered India some pure, unbridled rush of blood over the years and Kidambi Srikanth happens to be one of the finest shuttlers the country has produced.
His journey is a testament to talent and an unyielding passion for the sport.
On this day, February 7, 2025, we celebrate the 32nd birthday of Srikanth.
Early Life and Introduction to Badminton
Born on February 7, 1993, at Ravulapalem in Andhra Pradesh, Srikanth started playing badminton in 2001 at Guntur after watching his elder brother Nandagopal.
Srikanth started off in the sport as a doubles specialist. It was only after his move to the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad that the great Pullela Gopichand encouraged him to shift his focus to the singles discipline.
The move worked wonders for a young Kidambi Srikanth.
Rise to the Limelight
Srikanth's biggest breakthrough came in 2014 when he defeated the renowned Lin Dan in the final to win the China Open Super Series Premier title.
His run into the quarter-finals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where he was the only Indian to compete in men's singles was another significant turning point.
Historic Achievements
Srikanth's biggest claim to fame, however, came a year later in 2017 when he became the first Indian man to win four Super Series titles in a single season.
In April 2018, he became the second Indian male shuttler to reach the top of the world rankings, following Prakash Padukone. He also holds the distinction of the first Indian men's singles shuttler to reach the final of the BWF World Championships, having won a silver in 2021.
Srikanth also played a brilliant role in India's historic triumph in the Thomas Cup the year 2022, remaining unbeaten in entire campaign. His outstanding play was crucial to the Indian men's team's dominant 3-0 victory over Indonesia, the 14-time winners in the final.
Awards and Recognitions
Srikanth’s contributions to Indian badminton have been duly recognised. He was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2015 and the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2018. He was also named the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the year in 2017.
Beyond the Court
Srikanth is recognised for his playful nature and strong dedication. He maintains a planned training regimen and frequently shares snippets of his practice and fitness routines on social media.
Srikanth's remarkable transformation did not happen overnight, his rise from a small town in Andhra Pradesh to the International badminton arena is an inspiration for many upcoming athletes.
The badminton community around the globe eagerly anticipate more of his exceptional performances. With his great dedication and love for the sport, there is no doubt he will continue to add new chapters to his already remarkable career.
