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Prakash Padukone

Sport is an integral part of growing up as it builds one up for lifelong success. Prakash Padukone, Co-Founder, and the driving force of Padukone sports management. 

Prakash Padukone

Founder, Padukone Sports Management

Prakash Padukone is widely regarded as the pioneer of Indian badminton. He was ranked World No. 1 in 1980 – the same year in which he became the first Indian to win the All England Badminton Championship. Prakash Padukone continued the winning streak throughout his career and bagged over 20 international medals before he retired as a player in 1989. He remained actively involved in the game even after retirement and coached the Indian national badminton team from 1993 and 1996. For his immense dedication and the glory brought by him to the nation, Prakash Padukone has conferred the Arjuna Award in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982.

Padukone sports management was founded by the legendary Prakash Padukone in 2002 to coach young badminton players. Eventually, it transformed into a holistic badminton academy for everyone to learn and enjoy the game with the right training, as well as those who wish to compete professionally.

Prakash Padukone badminton academy

His Thoughts

Lessons from sports

Investing my time in sports has equipped me with various attributes that have served me well throughout my life. It is said that sports is the ultimate teacher, and I fully agree with it. During the many years of playing badminton at the highest level, I learnt humility, persistence, patience, and the value of teamwork. At Padukone sports management, it is my endeavor to not only help people across India enjoy badminton while learning the right technique but also focus on developing lifelong attributes like patience, dedication, respect, and perseverance. A Sporting Culture at the Grassroots Is the Need of Hour in our country and this very mission is what drives us at Padukone sports management. 

prakash padukone Life Story

The Life Story of a Legend

Prakash Padukone, born 10 June 1955, is a legendary Indian badminton player. He was ranked World No. 1 in 1980; the same year in which he became the first Indian to win the All England Open Badminton Championships. Prakash Padukone was awarded the Arjuna award in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982 by the Government of India.
 
Prakash Padukone was initiated into the game of badminton by his father Ramesh Padukone, who served as the Secretary of the “Mysore Badminton Association” for many years.
 
Padukone’s first official tournament was the Karnataka state junior championship in 1962. Known as the ‘Gentle Tiger’ on the court, his achievements in the badminton world are prolific. He won his first National Men’s singles at the Indian Nationals when he was only 16 years old (he also won Junior’s title at the Nationals) and went on to win it 9 years in a row from 1971 till 1979.
 
1980 was his best year when he dominated the top European players to win the Danish Open and the Swedish Open. Seeded third at the All-England, he beat Morten Frost in the semi-finals and Liem Swie King in the finals in a straight game, thus becoming the first Indian to achieve this scintillating feat. 
 
After his retirement from competitive sports in 1991, Prakash Padukone served as the chairman of the Badminton Association of India for a short while. Additionally, he served as the coach of the Indian national badminton team from 1993 to 1996. He also co-founded Olympic Gold Quest with Geet Sethi, a foundation dedicated to the promotion of Olympic sports in India.

Few of the Highlights of Prakash Padukone

1

Won National Senior Championships for Nine Years in a row from 1971 to 1979


2

in 1980, Won the Danish Open, the Swedish Open, and became the first Indian to win the men’s singles title at the All England Championship with a victory over Indonesian rival Liem Swie King


3

Winner of the first World Cup in October 1981 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and in the same year Won the First Indian Open Prize Money Tournament at Pune


4

Won the “Arjuna Award” at the age of 17 and the Padmashree at the age of 27 and Was chosen as one of the 60 Greatest Indians from all walks of life by an India Today poll in 2008

Blasting Records of Prakash Padukone
We want to make an impact.
We want to make an impact

Read Prakash Padukone Wikipedia Page

Focus

Always Focus on the Bigger Picture

  • One of the important things sports teach you is not to dispute the Umpire/Referee’s decision- whether fair or unfair.  During the course of a match, some decisions go in your favor and some against.  The key takeaway is to accept both the decisions with grace, without arguing or disputing the intentions of the Referee. This approach will enable you to focus on the bigger picture at hand, which is to achieve victory each time you play.
  • If you start questioning, arguing, and debating with the Umpire’s doubtful decisions, you are likely to lose focus of the bigger picture. In the end, you might win that point or argument but might go on to lose the match, which is not worth it. 
  • This applies to daily life as well.  Always focus on the bigger picture in life without getting into controversies. This is one of my learnings from sports.
  • There are many such examples of learning from sports that can be applied in daily life as well. Look out for more such learnings from my playing days here in my blog in the days to come. Take care and stay fit.

Latest News

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone shares his memories from the hallowed All England Open win in 1980 and speaks about the current crop of Indian badminton.


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Stars of the Past Prakash Padukone

Stars of the Past: Prakash Padukone


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Prakash Padukone Champion shuttler news

Prakash Padukone: Champion shuttler – Pullela Gopichand on Prakash Padukone being a role model for a whole generation


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Prakash Prakash Padukone Launches PSM Badminton Coaching In Mumbai

Prakash Prakash Padukone Launches Padukone sports management Badminton Coaching In Mumbai


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Meet the Team

Padukone sports management boasts of a stellar faculty and management, comprising India’s best badminton players and coaches.