Born on February 07, 1993, in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Kidambi Srikanth plays right handed. He is coached by the legendary Indian badminton player, Pullela Gopichand who has now taken upon himself to turn out champions from his academy, as its coach.
Kidambi first started playing badminton as he accosted his elder brother to the stadium and Gopichand Badminton Academy. That’s when Pullela Gopichand proved to be the key influence upon him to take up the game. He remains his inspiration and the mentor till date.
Boasting of a track record splashed with international accolades, Kidambi Srikanth made his international debut in 2008. Among his early international fetes he won silver in mixed doubles and bronze in double at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games
The number of Gold Medals that he already beholds in his stupendous career is an indication of this striking talent that one looks up to him in awe. An Indian laying hands on tournaments across the badminton periphery with an amazing consistency has made him one of the best players of the game the nation boasts. .
Kidambi won his first gold at the 2011 Maldives International. That gave him the spurt in confidence as he went on to win Thailand Open which was a Badminton World Federation (BWF) Grand Prix Gold Tournament.
In 2014 at the Finals of the China Open, a BWF Super Series Premier Tournament, Kidambi Srikanth Scaled a living legend of the game, and his idol, Lin Dan who was a five time world champion and twice an Olympic gold winner. This sensational effort made headlines across the globe. Not only did he become the first Indian player to win BWF Super Series Premiere title, but Kidambi Srikanth had heralded his arrival on international stage with this stunning victory.
The year 2014 is also when he escaped a serious health condition that hit him out of the blue. He was found unconscious in the washroom of Gopichand Badminton Academy and was whisked away for aid. He had been diagnosed with Brain fever. His survival was at stake and he spent several days in ICU. Eventually he pulled out of the illness, recovered even as he stumbled in a few tournaments post the ailment phase. The fact that ailment was now a history was manifest with his crowning display at the China Open.
His riveting glory of titles is reflects his profound successes. Among his super efforts in winning, include :
Gold at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, 2018 (Mixed Event)
Silver at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, 2018 (Single Event)
Winner, French Open (2017)
Winner, Denmark Open (2017)
Winner, Australian Open (2017)
Winner, Indonesia Open (2017)
Winner, India Open (2015)
Winner, China Open (2014)
Winner, Swiss Open Grand Prix (2015)
Two gold medals, men’s team and men’s singles at the South Asian Games, 2016
He lifted the Syed Modi International Grand Prix title in 2016 at home after being a runner up twice in the previous editions.
When Kidambi won the Indonesia Super Series, The Australian Super Series, The Denmark Super Series, The French Super Series he became the first Indian to win four Super Series titles in one single year.
He did the whole nation proud when he achieved the feat of being the highest ranked men’s singles badminton player in the world in April 2018. Kidambi was awarded with Padma Shri India’s fourth highest civilian award in 2018. A noteworthy feat of his is the fact that Kidambi has consistently been among the top 10 rankings, of the badminton elite.
