In the world of badminton, few names resonate like Anup Sridhar’s. Once a towering figure in Indian singles, he’s now reshaping the sport through coaching. Hailing from Bengaluru, born April 11, 1983, Sridhar honed his skills with icons Prakash Padukone and Vimal Kumar, emerging as a force in the 2000s.
Key triumphs define his playing days: a 2006 Commonwealth Games bronze in Melbourne with the mixed team, a 2007 Asian Championships men’s singles bronze in Malaysia, and a groundbreaking appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His defeat of Taufik Hidayat in 2004 remains legendary—a win against the Athens Olympic champion and 2005 world No. 1.
At 1.89 meters, Sridhar’s smashes were devastating, leading to his best world ranking of 24 in January 2010. Honored with the Arjuna Award in 2008, he retired to launch his badminton academy, emphasizing technique, agility, and psychological strength.
Venturing abroad, Sridhar coached Singapore’s national singles team from 2025, guiding them to Southeast Asian Games medals. He stepped down in January 2026, returning home to focus on Indian youth. Today, he’s not just a former athlete but a master mentor, ensuring India’s badminton future shines bright.
From personal glory to collective success, Sridhar’s path underscores dedication’s power in sports.
