Parupalli Kashyap, a prominent Indian badminton player, has captivated audiences since his debut in 2006. His journey, marked by both triumphs and challenges, is a testament to his resilience and dedication.
Biography/Wiki
Born on September 8, 1986, in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Kashyap’s passion for badminton ignited early. His father’s transferable job presented significant hurdles, including a period where he battled asthma. Despite these obstacles, his unwavering determination propelled him to success. A high point in his career was receiving the prestigious Arjuna Award from the Indian government.
Physical Appearance
Standing at approximately 5’8″ and weighing around 70 kg, Kashyap possesses a physique honed by years of intense training. His physical attributes include a chest of around 40 inches, a 32-inch waist, and 14-inch biceps. He has dark brown eyes and black hair.
Family & Wife
Kashyap hails from a middle-class Hindu family, the son of Uday Shankar and Subhadra. Sadly, his sister passed away in 2011. In 2018, he married fellow badminton player Saina Nehwal in Hyderabad, a union celebrated by fans and the sporting community alike.
Career
Kashyap holds a degree in Commerce. His formal badminton training began at age 11 in a Hyderabad camp led by coach Syed Mohammed Arif. Frequent relocations due to his father’s job saw him train at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru before returning to Hyderabad and training under Pullela Gopichand at the Gopichand Badminton Academy.
His career highlights include:
- Winning the boys’ singles title at the 2005 National Junior Open Badminton Championships.
- Representing India in international tournaments starting in 2006, notably defeating Przemyslaw Wacha twice.
- Reaching the men’s singles quarterfinals at the 2012 Olympics, a first for an Indian male player.
- Winning gold at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in men’s singles.
- Competing in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) with the Hyderabad Hunters.
His career was, however, punctuated by injuries. A severe calf injury in 2015 prevented him from playing in the Indonesia Superseries semifinals.
Awards
Kashyap’s impressive achievements are reflected in his extensive list of awards. A selection of these accolades are shown below:
| Year | Award | Event/Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Gold Medal | National Games, All-India PSPB Inter-unit Badminton Championship, Canara Bank All-India Senior Badminton Championship |
| 2010 | Silver Medal (Mixed Team), Bronze Medal (Men’s Singles) | New Delhi Commonwealth Games |
| 2012 | India Open Grand Prix Gold, Arjuna Award | Men’s Singles, Government of India |
| 2014 | Gold Medal | Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Men’s Singles |
| 2015 | India Open Grand Prix Gold | Men’s Singles |
| 2016 | Bronze Medal | Hyderabad Badminton Asia Team Championships, Men’s Team |
Facts
Beyond his sporting achievements, Kashyap has several interesting facets to his personality. He counts Sachin Tendulkar as his favorite cricketer, enjoys singing (with a particular fondness for “Aap Jaisa Koi”), and is a non-vegetarian. His highest world ranking was 6th, achieved in 2013, and he graced the cover of *The Man* magazine in 2015. Recently, in November 2023, he and Saina Nehwal added a Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53 to their car collection.
