Pullela Gopichand

Pullela Gopichand, the former Indian badminton player who currently serves as the Chief National Coach of the Indian badminton team, made history by winning the All England Open Badminton Championships in 2001, becoming the second Indian after Prakash Padukone (1980) to achieve this feat. His exceptional contributions to the sport have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Arjuna Award (1999), Padma Shri (2005), Dronacharya Award (2009), and Padma Bhushan (2014).

Born in 1973 in Andhra Pradesh, Gopichand embarked on his badminton journey at the age of 11 and swiftly ascended the ranks of the Indian badminton circuit. He clinched his first national title in 1996 and went on to secure five consecutive titles. Representing India, he also participated in the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Gopichand’s remarkable victory at the All England Championships marked a turning point for Indian badminton, significantly boosting its popularity within the country. Following his retirement from competitive badminton in 2004, Gopichand established the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad. This renowned academy has nurtured numerous top-level badminton players in India, including Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Srikanth Kidambi, Parupalli Kashyap, H.S. Prannoy, Sai Praneeth, Sameer Verma, and many others.

Gopichand’s exemplary achievements and contributions have solidified his status as a legendary figure in Indian badminton, serving as a profound inspiration for generations of players.