Kidambi Srikanth’s story is the stuff of badminton dreams. From the fields of Ravulapalem in Andhra Pradesh to the pinnacle of world rankings, his path is a testament to perseverance. Inspired by brother Nand Gopal’s prowess, the 7-year-old Srikanth dove into the sport, training at Visakhapatnam’s SAI center before mastering his craft at Gopichand Academy.
Junior successes like the 2011 Commonwealth Youth silver set the tone. Coach’s wisdom shifted him to singles, unlocking triumphs: Thailand Open 2013, a shocking China Open win over Lin Dan in 2014, and pioneering Swiss Open gold in 2015. Rio Olympics quarterfinals showcased his mettle.
2017 defined his peak—four Super Series crowns, a feat shared with badminton royalty. A severe knee injury tested him, but 2018 Commonwealth gold propelled him to world No.1, a historic first for Indian men. Post-Tokyo qualification miss, he rebounded with BWF Worlds silver in 2021.
Captaining India’s Thomas Cup victory in 2022, he also grabbed Commonwealth singles bronze and team silver. Awards cemented his legacy: Arjuna in 2015, Padma Shri in 2018. Srikanth’s aggressive net play and resilience continue to dominate courts worldwide, proving that following footsteps can lead to forging your own path.