• About Us
  • Profile
  • Feedback

Karnataka.com

  • Home
  • Education
  • Real-Estate
  • Government
  • Tourism
  • Recipe And Food
  • Restaurants
  • Festivals
  • Industry
  • ಕನ್ನಡ

Home » Personalities » Prakash Padukone – The Badminton Genius

Prakash Padukone – The Badminton Genius

August 20, 2017 by madur

Prakash Padukone is, without a doubt, the most famous badminton player from India. He took the country into the international spotlight by becoming one of the world’s leading badminton players. He was admired by fans for his aggressive playing style and is also the founder of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy.

Prakash Padukone

Prakash Padukone. Image courtesy Mussarat Kang

Prakash Padukone –Early Days

Born in 1955 in Karnataka, Prakash Padukone was introduced to badminton by his father Ramesh Padukone who was the secretary of the Mysore Badminton Association. He took an instant liking to the game and started practicing hard at it. His life has been chronicled in a biography by Dev S. Sukumar titled, ‘Touch Play.’ He married in his twenties and has two daughters.

Career

Padukone participated in the Karnataka State Junior Championships held in 1962 and was flushed out of the tournament after just two rounds. Determined to deliver a better performance the next time around, he evolved into a more aggressive player. Two years later, he nabbed the title in what was just the beginning of an illustrious career.

After winning both the senior and junior titles at the National tournament in 1972, he continued to defend the title for the next 7 years. In the 1978 Commonwealth Games, Padukone tasted his first international success by winning the gold medal in the men’s singles category.

He went on to win multiple titles during his career including the Danish Open, Swedish Open and so on. In 1980, with a win at the All England Championship, he was ranked number one in the world. To recognize his contribution to Indian sports, the government conferred him with the Arjuna award in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982. Padukone took off his boots in 1991 when he announced retirement.

Life after Retirement

Post retirement, Padukone has been continuously contributing to the Indian sports scene. He coached the Indian Badminton team for three years, from 1993 to 1996. In association with players Vivek and Vimal Kumar, he founded the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in 1994 to find and groom young talent into medal winning sportsmen. The most famous players who have undergone training at his academy include Pullela Gopichand and Aparna Popat. In 2001, Padukone teamed up with billiards player Geet Sethi and launched the Olympic Gold Quest Foundation, which aimed at promoting sports across the country.

Prakash Padukone, Personality

Interesting Trivia

He was a fan of Indonesian Badminton star Rudy Hartono but defeated him in the Swedish Open in 1980. In a 2011 interview, Padukone admitted that his victories against Hartono are the moments he holds to be closest to his heart. One of his daughters is Bollywood starlet Deepika Padukone, while the other daughter Anisha Padukone is a golf player.

He was the first Indian to be ranked world number one after his victory at the 1980 All England Championship. When he won the national senior championship in 1971 at the age of 16, he was the youngest ever player to do so. Though being an Indian player, most of his career was spent in Denmark where he trained for the games.

Also See

Famous Personalities in Karnataka

  • Ashwini Ponnappa
  • Sports Personalities in Karnataka
  • About Personalities in Karnataka

Filed Under: Personalities Tagged With: badminton, personalities, prakash padukone, Sportsperson

Social

Top Posts & Pages

  • Bangalore Metro – Routes and Fares
    Bangalore Metro – Routes and Fares
  • Online FIR Bangalore And E-lost Report App - Everything You Should Know
    Online FIR Bangalore And E-lost Report App - Everything You Should Know
  • Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme 2025: How To Apply Online And Check Status
    Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme 2025: How To Apply Online And Check Status
  • Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
    Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
  • Veerendra Heggade - Much More Than A Dharmadhikari!
    Veerendra Heggade - Much More Than A Dharmadhikari!
  • Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme 2025 - How To Apply Online And Check Status
    Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme 2025 - How To Apply Online And Check Status
  • Bangalore Police Helpline Number
    Bangalore Police Helpline Number
  • Vittala Temple, Hampi – An Architectural Wonder
    Vittala Temple, Hampi – An Architectural Wonder
  • Bull Temple, Bangalore – An Architectural Wonder
    Bull Temple, Bangalore – An Architectural Wonder
  • Districts in Karnataka
    Districts in Karnataka

Recent Posts

  • Government Schemes in Karnataka
    July 15, 2025
    The central government and the state government of […]
  • Swavalambi Sarathi SchemeSwavalambi Sarathi Scheme 2025 – How To Apply Online And Check Status
    July 8, 2025
    The Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme, offered by the […]
  • Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme, Karnataka. Source RGRHCLRajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme 2025: How To Apply Online And Check Status
    July 4, 2025
    The economically weaker section of society in […]
  • Sringeri Sharada Peetham. Source Sringeri Sharada PeethamSringeri Sharada Peetham  – Where Divinity Reigns
    June 28, 2025
    Sringeri Sharada Peetham was established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. It is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Malnad hills, on the banks of the Tunga River. This place is named after the great Rishi Rishyashringa. […]
  • Mavanuru Malleshwara Temple. Source Mavanuru Malleshwara Swami Temple, InstagramMavanuru Malleshwara Temple – The Charming Windmill Temple
    June 27, 2025
    Popularly known as ‘The Windmill Temple’, […]
ImmigrationWorld | Airport Commute | NGO/Charity
Home | Media | Personalities | FAQ | About Us | Feedback
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Disclaimer | Sitemap
Copyright © 2025 karnataka.com.
 

Loading Comments...