Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth10 June 1955
Age70 Years
BirthplaceBangalore, Mysore State, India
ProfessionFormer Indian Badminton Player, Instructor
NationalityIndian
Marital statusMarried
SpouseUjjala Padukone
FamilyDaughters: Deepika Padukone (Actress), Anisha Padukone (Golfer); Father: Ramesh Padukone; Mother: Ahilya Padukone; Brother: 1
Prakash Padukone Biography
Prakash Padukone is a former Indian badminton champion who became the first Indian to win the men's singles title at the All England Championship. A top‑r‑
Early life and backgroundPrakash Padukone was born on 10 June 1955 in Bangalore (then in Mysore State), India. Raised in a family with strong ties to badminton—his father, Ramesh Padukone, served as secretary of the Mysore Badminton Association—Prakash developed an interest in the sport at an early age. He won the National Junior Championship in 1964 and made his competitive debut in 1962 at the Karnataka state junior championship.
Career
Padukone moved swiftly through India’s badminton ranks. At 16 he became the youngest player to capture the national senior championship in 1971 and went on to win that title consecutively through 1979. He built a sustained international presence during the late 1970s and early 1980s, claiming significant titles and earning top world rankings.
His international breakthrough included victories at events such as the Denmark Open and Swedish Open in 1980. That same year he achieved a major milestone by winning the men's singles title at the All England Open, becoming the first Indian to do so. The triumph contributed to his rise to World No. 1. Over the period from 1980 to 1985 he collected numerous tournament wins, estimated at 15 titles during those years.
Padukone also won the World Cup singles event in 1981 and the Commonwealth Games singles gold in 1978. At the World Championships in Copenhagen in 1983 he finished among the top three in the singles draw. In multi-sport events he helped India reach podium positions in team competitions at the Asian Games in 1974 and 1986.
Much of his international training took place in Denmark, where he developed friendships with European players including Morten Frost. Padukone retired from competitive play in 1991.
Post‑competition roles and initiatives
After retiring, Padukone remained active in Indian badminton administration and development. He served for a period as chairman of the Badminton Association of India and later coached the Indian national team from 1993 to 1996. In 1994 he co-founded the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) with Vimal Kumar and Vivek Kumar to train young players.
In 2001 he co-founded Olympic Gold Quest with fellow sportsperson Geet Sethi, an organisation focused on supporting India’s chances at the Olympic Games. His contributions to the sport have been recognised with awards including the Arjuna Award in 1972, the Padma Shri in 1982, an Outstanding Achievement honour at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in 2014, and the Badminton Association of India’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Public profile
Prakash Padukone is married to Ujjala Padukone; the couple have two daughters, Deepika Padukone, who works as an actress, and Anisha Padukone, who plays golf. Known for maintaining a disciplined lifestyle, he has been a visible figure in conversations about Indian sport and has participated in interviews and public conversations with fellow athletes.
His surname comes from his ancestral village, Padukone, near Kundapura in Karnataka. Beyond his playing achievements, Padukone’s biography titled Touch Play, written by Dev S. Sukumar, became one of the early full-length biographies focused on a badminton player.
Latest updates
Padukone has remained involved in badminton development projects. In 2018 he received a lifetime achievement award from the Badminton Association of India. He and his daughter Deepika jointly own the Padukone School of Badminton; on his 70th birthday in June 2025 Deepika stated plans to expand the school’s footprint from 75 centres in 2025 to as many as 250 centres by 2027.
In September 2024 a company owned by him, KA Enterprises LLP, purchased a luxury apartment in Bandra West. Padukone’s ongoing engagement in coaching, administration and sports promotion keeps him connected to Indian badminton across generations.
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Recent Work
Expansion plans announced to grow from 75 centres in 2025 to as many as 250 centres by 2027 (announced on his 70th birthday).
2025Career Highlights
- Youngest winner of India’s national senior badminton championship in 1971 (age 16) and nine consecutive national titles through 1979
- All England Open men’s singles champion, 1980 (first Indian to win the title)
- World Cup singles champion, 1981
- Commonwealth Games singles gold medallist, 1978
- Ranked among top three at the 1983 World Championships
- Coached the Indian national badminton team (1993–1996)
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Prakash Padukone born?
Prakash Padukone was born on 10 June 1955.
What is Prakash Padukone known for?
Prakash Padukone is known for former Indian Badminton Player, Instructor.
What is Prakash Padukone’s marital status?
Prakash Padukone's marital status is listed as Married.
Who is Prakash Padukone married to?
Prakash Padukone is publicly listed as married to Ujjala Padukone.
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