Prakash Padukone

Prakash Padukone is considered to be India’s first badminton superstar. He is the one who put India on the international map, simultaneously making the sport famous in India. He was born on 10th June 1955 in Bangalore, Karnataka. This was his first official tournament but he managed to redeem himself two years later by winning the state junior title. He went on to win the Indian National junior and senior title in the year 1972. He defended his National tile for 7 consecutive years after this. He was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 1972 and the Padma Shri in the year 1982.