Top 10 achievements by Indian players in world badminton

India has risen extensively in badminton in recent years.

Indian badminton players have achieved a lot of success at the international level when it comes to winning medals. The sport which was often dominated by the Chinese, Koreans, and Malaysians, has seen a lot of Indian players making their mark on the world circuit in recent times.

Many Indian shuttlers have exceeded expectations on the world stage. Let’s have a look at some of the biggest achievements by Indian players on the world stage.

10. PV Sindhu’s five medals at World Championships

PV Sindhu holds the unique distinction of being only the second woman in history after China’s Zhang Ning, to win five medals at the BWF World Championships. She clinched two bronze (2013, 2014), two silver (2017, 2018), and a historic gold in 2019, showcasing remarkable consistency at the highest level of the sport.

9. Satwik-Chirag, Saina Nehwal, and Kidambi Srikanth attaining World No. 1 Rank

India has produced multiple World No. 1s over the years.

• Saina Nehwal became the first Indian woman to reach the World No. 1 spot in 2015.
• Kidambi Srikanth achieved the top rank in men’s singles in 2018 following a series of World Tour wins.
• In men’s doubles, the electrifying pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty hit the World No. 1 ranking in 2023—an unprecedented feat for Indian doubles badminton.

8. 2022 Thomas Cup Win

In a stunning underdog victory, India clinched its first-ever Thomas Cup title in 2022, defeating 14-time champions Indonesia in the final.

With heroics from Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and the Satwik-Chirag duo, India’s men’s team showcased depth, determination, and resilience in what is considered one of the most prestigious team events in badminton.

7. Four Super Series Titles by Kidambi Srikanth in a Calendar Year

In 2017, Kidambi Srikanth etched his name in history by winning four Super Series titles in a single calendar year, a win previously managed by legends like Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei. His victories at Indonesia, Australia, Denmark, and France marked one of the most dominant seasons ever by an Indian shuttler.

6. Saina Nehwal’s Commonwealth Games Gold Medals (2010 & 2018)

Saina Nehwal has been a consistent performer on the Commonwealth stage. She became the first Indian woman to win singles gold at the 2010 CWG in Delhi, and repeated the feat in 2018 at Gold Coast, becoming the only Indian female shuttler to win two CWG gold medals in singles.

5. Pullela Gopichand’s All England Victory (2001)

Following in the footsteps of his mentor Prakash Padukone, Pullela Gopichand became only the second Indian to win the prestigious All England Open in 2001. His victory was a turning point for Indian badminton and inspired a new generation of players.

4. Prakash Padukone’s All England and World Championships Win

Often regarded as the pioneer of Indian badminton, Prakash Padukone became the first Indian to win the All England Open in 1980, a monumental moment in the nation’s sporting history. He also clinched bronze at the 1983 World Championships, India’s first-ever medal at the event.

3. PV Sindhu’s World Championships Gold (2019)

After multiple close finishes, PV Sindhu finally broke through by winning gold at the 2019 World Championships in Basel, defeating Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in a dominating performance. She became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Worlds, completing her full set of medals.

2. Saina Nehwal’s Olympic Bronze (London 2012)

Saina Nehwal made history at the 2012 London Olympics by winning bronze in women’s singles, becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal. Her performance paved the way for future stars and brought Indian badminton into the Olympic spotlight.

1. PV Sindhu’s Double Olympic Medal Win

India’s greatest achievement in badminton so far belongs to PV Sindhu, who became the first Indian woman to win back-to-back Olympic medals.

• She won silver at Rio 2016, after a fierce final against Spain’s Carolina Marin.
• She followed it up with bronze at Tokyo 2020, defeating He Bing Jiao in the playoff.This incredible consistency on the world’s biggest sporting stage cements Sindhu’s legacy as one of India’s all-time greatest athletes.

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