Prakash Padukone, a badminton legend from India, left an indelible mark on the sport. His achievements extended beyond the court, influencing generations and shaping the future of Indian badminton. This post delves into his life, career, and family.
Biography/Wiki
Born on June 10, 1955, in Bangalore, India (age 70 as of 2025), Prakash Padukone earned the monikers “The Silent Tiger” and “The Undisputed Leader” during his illustrious career. His dominance in the 1980s and 1990s brought immense glory to India. He’s also known as the proud father of renowned Bollywood and Hollywood actress, Deepika Padukone.
Physical Appearance
Even in his seventies, Prakash maintains an athletic physique. Standing tall at 6’1″ and weighing approximately 75 kg, he possesses striking black hair and eyes.
Family, Religion & Caste
Hailing from a Brahmin (Chitrapur Saraswat) family in Bangalore, Prakash’s father, Ramesh Padukone, served as the secretary of the Mysore Badminton Association, while his mother, Ahilya Padukone, was a homemaker. He has one brother residing in Mangalore. His arranged marriage to Ujjala blessed him with two daughters: the acclaimed Deepika Padukone and Anisha Padukone, a professional golfer.
Career
Prakash’s passion for badminton ignited early, nurtured by his father’s encouragement. A right-handed player, his journey began with the Karnataka state junior championship in 1962. He quickly rose through the ranks, winning the National Junior Championship in 1964 and becoming the youngest National Senior Champion at 16.
His dominance was unparalleled; he clinched the national senior championship title an incredible nine consecutive times (1971-1979). Victories at prestigious tournaments such as the “Evening of Champions” (Royal Albert Hall, London, 1979), the All England Championship (defeating Liem Swie King), the Danish Open, and the Swedish Open (where he beat his idol, Rudy Hartono) cemented his legendary status.
Between 1980 and 1985, he accumulated 15 titles. After retiring from competitive badminton in 1991, he served as the chairman of the Badminton Association of India and coached the Indian national team (1993-1996).
His commitment to the sport continued with the establishment of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) in 1994, alongside Vimal Kumar and Vivek Kumar. In 2001, he co-founded Olympic Gold Quest, an organization dedicated to promoting Olympic sports in India. He received the BAI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Achievements
Prakash’s accomplishments are extensive. Here’s a glimpse of his remarkable career:
| Tournament | Year | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships | 1983 | 3rd (Singles) | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Commonwealth Games | 1978 | 1st (Singles) | Edmonton, Canada |
| Asian Games | 1974 | 3rd (Team) | Tehran, Iran |
| Asian Games | 1986 | 3rd (Team) | Seoul, South Korea |
| World Cup | 1981 | 1st (Singles) | Kuala Lumpur |
| World Grand Prix – Denmark Open | 1979 | 1st (Singles) | Denmark |
| World Grand Prix – All England Open | 1980 | 1st (Singles) | England |
Awards
- 1972: Arjuna Award
- 1982: Padma Shri
- 2014: Outstanding Achievement Award at GQ Men of the Year Awards
- 2018: BAI Lifetime Achievement Award
Facts
- Prakash Padukone is a non-smoker and teetotaler.
- His surname “Padukone” originates from his ancestral village near Kundapura.
- He developed strong friendships with many European players, particularly during his training stints in Denmark.
- A biography, “Touch Play,” by Dev S. Sukumar, chronicles his life.
- In an interview, he revealed his favorite movie of his daughter Deepika’s filmography is Bajirao Mastani.
- In September 2024, KA Enterprises LLP (linked to Prakash) purchased a luxury apartment for ?17.78 crore in West Bandra, Mumbai.
