Anup Sridhar is a well known Indian Badminton Player. He is considered as one of the finest and most talented badminton players India has seen in the recent times, and was the captain of the Indian badminton team at the Thomas Cup tournament.
Early Life of Anup Sridhar
Anup Sridhar was born on April 11, 1983 at Bengaluru, Karnataka. He studied at the St. Joseph`s Boys High School, Bengaluru and also earned a bachelor`s degree in commerce from Sai Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College, Bengaluru. Anup Sridhar began playing badminton at a very young age. His first title was the Canara Bank Tournament held at Indiranagar, Bengaluru. Anup Sridhar took advanced training in at the TATA Padukone Badminton Academy, Bengaluru to hone his skills, and talent. At this institute, he learnt the master skills required for playing the game under guidance of Prakash Padukone.
Career of Anup Sridhar
Sridhar won the National Badminton Championship for three consecutive years: 2004, 2005, 2006, thereby cementing his place in the sport. Interestingly, however, he did not win any Junior National Badminton title. In the year 2002, Anup Sridhar made his first foray into the international circuit in 2002, qualifying for the India Asia Satellite tournament. Sridhar also played at a number of tournaments like Luster International Malaysia Satellite tournament 2002, Norwegian International tournament 2003. His first successes were in 2004, when he entered the Pre-Quarterfinal of the Western Australian International tournament and the Cheers Asian Satellite tournament. He also entered the Semi-Final round of Scottish International tournament of the year 2004, and participated in tournaments like German Open and All England Open tournament in 2005.
More success followed in 2005, when he won the 30th Hungarian International Badminton tournament, and in 2006, when the Indian badminton contingent to the Melbourne Commonwealth Games secured a Bronze Medal. Anup Sridhar also represented the country at the Beijing Olympic Games 2008, where he reached the 2nd round of the Men`s Singles tournament.
Sridhar has upset several prominent players in the course of his career, the most memorable being his gruelling contest with former world No.1 Taufik Hidayat at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He also holds the world record for the hardest smash in badminton, which he hit at the World Badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His highest career ranking in international badminton was 24, which he reached on March 20, 2008.
Awards Received by Anup Sridhar
The Government of India has conferred several prestigious awards in order to commemorate his excellence in badminton. Anup Sridhar has received Arjuna Award in 2007. He also received the Eklavya Award in 2004 and in the year 2008, he received the Rotary-Brigade "Special Prize" Young Achievers Award.
