Kristian Ferrell
Kidambi Srikanth is one of the finest badminton players India has produced. He was born on 7 February 1993 in Andhra Pradesh and started playing badminton in 2001 at the age of 8 after watching his elder brother. In 2009, he joined the Pullela Gopichand Academy, where he was encouraged to play singles instead of doubles. It was in 2014 that Srikanth announced his arrival into the elite of the badminton world, with a shock win against two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan in the final of the China Open Super Series Premier. Since then, he has gone on to become the first Indian man to win a silver medal at the World Championships and has achieved the world number 1 ranking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Started playing badminton | 2001 |
| Reason for starting to play badminton | His brother played first and he joined him |
| First badminton racquet location | Stadium near his home |
| First burst onto the badminton scene | 2011 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Kidambi was inspired to start playing badminton by his elder brother
Kidambi Srikanth was born on 7 February 1993 in Ravulapalem, Andhra Pradesh, India. He started playing badminton in 2001 in Guntur. Srikanth was inspired to take up the sport by his elder brother, Nanda Gopal, who is also a badminton player and junior national champion.
Srikanth's brother was not his only relative to influence his career path. Their father, KVS Krishna, supported Srikanth's passion by building a badminton court in their backyard. In this court, Srikanth and his brother would play together, with their father joining in from time to time.
In 2008, Srikanth moved to the Gopichand Academy to continue his practice. It was here that he was encouraged to focus on singles rather than doubles. This decision proved fruitful, as Srikanth went on to win several singles titles, including the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold in 2013 and the Indian Badminton League in 2013.
Srikanth's talent and dedication to badminton have taken him far. In 2014, he rose to international prominence by defeating two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan in the final of the China Open. This victory established him as a leading player in the sport, and he has since gone on to achieve even greater successes.
Srikanth's elder brother played a pivotal role in igniting his passion for badminton. With his support and influence, Srikanth was able to pursue his dream, overcoming challenges and making his mark in the world of badminton.
Will Ferrell's Naked Basketball: Poster Power
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He first came to prominence in 2011
Srikanth Kidambi, born on 7 February 1993, first came to prominence in 2011 when he won the National Junior Championships in Pune. That same year, he also clinched the silver medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man.
Kidambi started playing badminton in 2001 at the age of 8 in his hometown of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, after watching his elder brother play. However, it wasn't until he joined the Pullela Gopichand Academy in 2009 that his talent was truly recognised and nurtured. At the academy, Kidambi was encouraged to focus on singles matches, which proved to be a successful strategy.
In 2013, Kidambi continued his winning streak, beating Thai veteran and world number 8th, Boonsak Ponsana, to win the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold in Bangkok. This victory made him only the second Indian after HS Prannoy to win a tournament of such high calibre. In the same year, he defeated the reigning national champion, Parupalli Kashyap, at the All India Senior National Championships in New Delhi, solidifying his rise as one of the country's most talented badminton players.
Kidambi's success continued into 2014, where he reached the finals of the India Open Grand Prix Gold event in Lucknow and was a quarterfinalist in the Malaysian Open. He also played an integral role in the Indian badminton team's success at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, reaching the semi-finals of the mixed team event and the quarter-finals of the men's singles event. However, his most notable achievement that year was his victory against two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan in the final of the China Open Super Series Premier. This triumph made him the first Indian to win a Super Series Premier men's title.
Over the years, Kidambi has faced setbacks and injuries, causing his form to fluctuate. Despite these challenges, he has consistently proven his resilience and dedication to the sport, achieving notable wins and climbing back into the top rankings.
Kirsten's Abortion: Basketball Wives' Secrets and Choices
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Kidambi has won several badminton tournaments
Kidambi Srikanth was born on February 7, 1993, in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India. He first came into the limelight in 2011 when he won the National Junior Championships in Pune. Since then, Kidambi has gone on to win several badminton tournaments.
In 2013, Kidambi beat Parupalli Kashyap, the then national champion, at the All India Senior National Championships in New Delhi. In the same year, he won the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold in Bangkok, defeating Thai veteran and world number 8th, Boonsak Ponsana. Kidambi also finished as a runner-up at the 2014 India Open Grand Prix Gold event in Lucknow and was a quarterfinalist at the 2014 Malaysian Open.
Kidambi has also won several elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). He won the Indonesia Super Series, becoming the first Indian male player to do so. He then won the Australian Super Series, setting an Indian record for entering three consecutive Super Series Finals. Kidambi also won the Denmark Super Series, defeating Lee Hyun-il of Korea.
In addition to his Super Series wins, Kidambi reached the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open Super Series and the Super Series Masters Finals. He won the Swiss Open and the India Open in 2015. Kidambi also represented India at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, winning a gold medal in the mixed team event and a silver in the singles event. He reached the finals of the World Championships in 2021, becoming the first Indian male badminton player to achieve this feat.
Kidambi has had a successful career in badminton, with several tournament wins and notable achievements. However, he has also experienced setbacks and losses, as is common in any sport. He has endured early exits from tournaments and struggled against certain opponents, such as Chinese player Chen Long. Despite this, Kidambi continues to be a prominent figure in the world of badminton, with his skills and performances captivating fans and followers of the sport.
Who's the Top Scorer in Basketball?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He has represented India at the Commonwealth Games
Srikanth Kidambi has represented India at the Commonwealth Games on multiple occasions. In 2014, Kidambi was part of the Indian badminton contingent that reached the semi-finals of the mixed team event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He also reached the quarter-finals of the men's singles event at the same tournament.
Kidambi continued his success at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, winning a gold medal in the mixed team event and a silver medal in the singles event. He achieved the world number 1 ranking for a week during this period.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Kidambi won a bronze medal in the men's singles event and a silver medal in the mixed team event. This was his fourth Commonwealth medal overall. Kidambi's performance in the mixed team event was described as underwhelming, as he lost to lower-ranked Tze Yong Ng in three games.
Kidambi first burst onto the badminton scene in 2011 when he won the National Junior Championships in Pune. That same year, he won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man. Born in 1993, Kidambi has become one of India's rising badminton stars, known for his victories in various international tournaments.
Best Sites to Watch Badminton Live Streaming
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Kidambi has been coached by Pullela Gopichand
Kidambi Srikanth, born on 7 February 1993, is an Indian badminton player who first came into the limelight in 2011 when he won the National Junior Championships in Pune. He has since gone on to achieve several feats, including becoming the first Indian man to win gold at the 2015 Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold and the first Indian male player to win the Indonesia Super Series.
Srikanth has been coached by Pullela Gopichand, a former badminton player himself and the current chief coach of the Indian team. Gopichand has been praised for his outstanding work as a coach, with Srikanth himself calling him "India's best coach till date". Under Gopichand's mentorship, Srikanth has achieved notable successes, such as winning the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold in 2013 and the India Open Super Series title in 2015.
Gopichand's training facility in Hyderabad is world-class, and several other badminton athletes, including Parupalli Kashyap, P. V. Sindhu, and Arundhati Pantawane, also train there. In 2011, Srikanth moved to the Gopichand Academy to continue his practice, and his career has flourished under Gopichand's guidance.
As a coach, Pullela Gopichand has been lauded for his ability to bring out the best in Indian badminton players. He took charge as the national head coach in 2002, and since then, Indian badminton has seen tremendous success. Gopichand's training methods and strategies have helped produce multiple singles players in the top 20 rankings, and even the doubles players have thrived under his guidance.
In an interview, Gopichand praised the performance of the Indian men's singles players, including Srikanth, and highlighted their potential ahead of a busy 2022 season. He acknowledged the fine form of his players, with Srikanth reaching the finals and other Indian shuttlers, such as Lakshya and Prannoy, also putting up strong performances.
Where to Watch: Men's Basketball Networks
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Srikanth Kidambi started playing badminton in 2001 at the age of 8.
Srikanth Kidambi started playing badminton because he would go to a stadium with his brother, who played the sport, and slowly he started to play with him.
No, Srikanth Kidambi has said that he never saw badminton as a "career" when he was growing up, it was just a way to enjoy himself.
Srikanth Kidambi first burst onto the scene in 2011 when he won the National Junior Championships in Pune.
Srikanth Kidambi joined the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in 2009.
