Prakash Padukone Biography: Career, Stats, Net Worth, Age, Wife, Height, Parents, Siblings, Awards

Prakash Padukone is a distinguished former Indian badminton player who was introduced to the sport by his father, Ramesh Padukone.

He quickly ascended to prominence, becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships in 1980—a victory that earned him the world number one ranking.

Additionally, he secured a gold medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games. Following his illustrious playing career, Padukone transitioned into coaching and co-founded Olympic Gold Quest, an initiative dedicated to promoting Olympic sports in India.

Profile

• Full Name: Prakash Padukone
• Stage Name: Prakash Padukone
• Born: June 10 1955
• Age: 69 years old
• Birthplace: Bengaluru, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Indian former badminton player
• Height: 1.85 m
• Parents: Ramesh Padukone, Ahilya Padukone
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Ujjala Padukone
• Children: Deepika Padukone, Anisha Padukone
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life And Education

Prakash Padukone was born on June 10, 1955, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. He is the son of Ramesh Padukone, who served as the secretary of the Mysore Badminton Association. While he may have siblings, there is no publicly available information regarding them.

Details about his formal education are not widely documented; however, his introduction to badminton came at an early age under the guidance of his father.

He is of Tulu or Kannadiga ethnicity, though his religious beliefs have not been publicly disclosed.

Career

Prakash Padukone’s early career was marked by remarkable achievements that laid the foundation for his dominance in Indian badminton.

In 1972, at just 16 years old, he clinched his first major title at the National Junior Championship, followed by his maiden National Senior Championship victory in the same year.

This triumph signaled the beginning of an era of supremacy, as Padukone went on to win nine consecutive national titles until 1980, firmly establishing himself as India’s leading badminton player.

His international career gained significant momentum with a historic gold medal win in the men’s singles event at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, making him the first Indian badminton player to achieve such a distinction on the global stage.

However, the pinnacle of his career came in 1980 when he secured the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships title by defeating Indonesia’s Liem Swie King in straight sets.

This landmark victory not only made him the first Indian to win the prestigious tournament but also propelled him to the world number-one ranking, a feat unparalleled in Indian badminton history.

Over the years, he continued to showcase his excellence by winning the All England Open title two more times, in 1982 and 1984, along with several other international victories, including the Asian Badminton Championships, the French Open, the Scottish Open, and the Australian Open.

Following his retirement from professional play, Padukone transitioned into coaching, beginning his journey as an assistant coach for the Indian badminton team in 1985 and later serving as the head coach from 2003 to 2014.

Under his leadership, the national team secured multiple international victories, and he mentored players like Saina Nehwal.

His contributions to the sport have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Arjuna Award in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982.

Beyond coaching, he co-founded Olympic Gold Quest to support Olympic sports in India and established the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru, which continues to nurture young talent.

His enduring legacy extends beyond his playing days, as he remains actively involved in the sport, serving in leadership roles such as Chairman of the Badminton Association of India and continuing to shape the future of Indian badminton through his academy and various initiatives.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @ppbaindia

Personal Life

Prakash Padukone is married to Ujjala Padukone, his second cousin, in a marriage arranged by their families.

Together, they have two daughters—Deepika Padukone, an acclaimed actress in the Indian film industry, and Anisha Padukone, a professional golfer pursuing a career in sports.

Net Worth

Prakash Padukone’s net worth is unknown, but his income sources include his successful badminton career, coaching, and contributions to sports development through initiatives like Olympic Gold Quest.