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Junior badminton in Tairāwhiti is on the rise with three Badminton Eastland age group rep teams from here competing in the recent New Zealand junior championships in Palmerston North.
Junior badminton continues to grow in Tairāwhiti with increasing momentum reflected in the district performance at the recent national junior championships in Palmerston North.
It was the second year running Badminton Eastland had entered three teams – Under-13, U15 and U17 age groups – in the championships.
Saina Nehwal‘s Ex-Husband Parupalli Kashyap‘s Studied Computer Science Degree From UPES, Dehradun Before Becoming India’s Commonwealth Gold Medallist
Who Is Saina Nehwal‘s Ex-Husband Parupalli Kashyap: It isn’t every day that India’s sporting sweethearts go their separate ways, but when Saina Nehwal—Olympic medallist, national icon and one of the most formidable forces in badminton—announced her divorce from Parupalli Kashyap, it sent a quiet ripple through the world of Indian sport. The couple had been married since 2018, and theirs wasn’t just a love story—it was a sporting saga that unfolded across continents, championships, and countless training sessions.
While Saina’s fame has often dominated the headlines, Parupalli Kashyap has quietly carved out a legacy of his own. Behind the clean smashes and net drops is a man with an intriguing blend of academic ambition, unshakable resilience, and deep sporting discipline. Let’s take a closer look at Kashyap—his journey, education, achievements and the very human story behind the shuttlecock.
Hyderabad-Bred and Book-Smart
Born and raised in Hyderabad, Parupalli Kashyap was never just about badminton. His early education was at Loyola High School, Secunderabad, a city known for breeding both tech talent and sporting prodigies. But unlike many sportspersons who forgo formal education early on, Kashyap took a different route. He went on to pursue a degree in Computer Science from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun—an unusual choice for a rising sports star, and one that showed just how determined he was to strike a balance between intellect and athletics.
Here’sa fun fact: Not many Indian athletes can claim a background in engineering and elite sport. Kashyap, in that sense, is a bit of an outlier—someone who coded algorithms while perfecting the backhand flick.
The Asthma Diagnosis That Didn’t Hold Him Back
Kashyap’s tryst with badminton began when he was just 11, under the guidance of S. M. Arif at a training camp in Hyderabad. His father’s transferable job meant the family moved often, but the sport remained a constant. He later joined the prestigious Padukone Academy in Bengaluru before returning to Hyderabad in 2004, the same year he was diagnosed with asthma.
Now, asthma is hardly a favourable condition for any athlete, let alone a badminton player who must rely on stamina and lung capacity to sustain marathon matches. But Kashyap didn’t flinch. Instead, he trained harder and learned to manage the condition. In his own words, it was “not a condition that stops you from living life”—and certainly not one that would stop him from winning.
Mentored by Legends: Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand
If there were a Hogwarts for badminton, it would be the Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad. Kashyap trained there under the watchful eyes of two Indian legends—Prakash Padukone and Gopichand himself. It was Gopichand who eventually became his full-time coach, shaping not just his game, but his mental approach to competition.
These weren’t just coaching sessions; they were masterclasses in discipline, strategy, and grit. Under their mentorship, Kashyap didn’t just play badminton—he studied it.
Bronze, Gold, and a Bit of Heartbreak
Kashyap’s major breakthrough came at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. A medication-related rule stopped him from using his asthma inhaler, and yet he battled on, making it to the semi-finals. Though he lost to England’s Rajiv Ouseph, he went on to defeat former national champion Chetan Anand to clinch a bronze medal.
This wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was India’s reminder that another star was rising.
In 2012, he became the first Indian male shuttler to reach the quarter-finals of the men’s singles at the London Olympics—a landmark moment in Indian badminton history. Two years later, he clinched gold at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, cementing his position as a national icon in his own right.
In 2013, he was named the Icon Player for Banga Beats in the Indian Badminton League, adding a commercial sheen to his growing popularity. That same year, the Government of India awarded him the Arjuna Award, one of the country’s highest honours for sporting excellence.
Love on the Sidelines: The Saina-Kashyap Saga
Theirs was a romance that unfolded quietly, away from social media and gossip columns. Kashyap and Nehwal met as teenagers during a training camp. What began as a friendship evolved slowly into companionship—built on early-morning training, travel across the global tournament circuit, and long conversations about the sport they both loved.
Their relationship began around 2004, but it wasn’t until 2018 that they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Hyderabad. For a while, they were Indian sport’s golden couple—two champions who understood each other’s routines, pressures, and triumphs.
While their marriage may not have lasted, the respect between the two appears to have endured. Saina’s announcement on Instagram about the divorce was brief and dignified—no drama, just the kind of grace one would expect from a seasoned athlete.
So, Who Really Is Parupalli Kashyap?
He’s more than just Saina Nehwal’s ex-husband. He’s a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, a trailblazer at the Olympics, a tech graduate, a fighter who played through asthma, and a student of the game who earned the respect of legends.
He’s also proof that the path to greatness doesn’t have to be linear. You can switch cities, battle illness, juggle studies with sport, and still come out on top.
And if anything, his story stands as a reminder that sometimes the most compelling players are the ones who don’t always shout the loudest.
Fun Fact Before You Go: Did you know Kashyap almost pursued a full-time career in software development if badminton hadn’t worked out? Imagine debugging code in the morning and smashing birdies in the evening!
At least 120 para-athletes, including Eniola Bolaji, bronze medalist at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, have converged on Umuahia for the fifth Abia National Para-badminton Championship.
Bolaji made history by becoming the first African to win a medal in para-badminton at the Paralympics.
The Abia Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, stated at a news briefing in Umuahia on Sunday that the state had taken all necessary measures to ensure a successful competition.
Mr Ananaba said the facilities had been provided at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, venue of the event taking place between 12 and 18 July.
He said that the competition would also be used to test-run the Abia Para-badminton International Championship (billed to take place from 30 September to 5 October) and the All Africa Para-badminton Championships (7-12 October).
He expressed gratitude to the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA) for giving Abia the hosting right and Governor Alex Otti for his support for sports development in the state, as he promised in his manifesto.
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In a remark, the Event Director, BCA, Faadil Sayed, who was around to assess the level of preparedness for the competition, lauded the state for its commitment towards ensuring a successful event.
Mr Sayed said: “The tournaments coming up are not just events – they are statements.
“They say Nigeria is ready. West Africa is ready. And Para-badminton is here to stay.
“We are not just preparing for a championship – we are preparing a platform for talents’ visibility and lasting impact.
“Let’s support it, celebrate it, and ensure that this legacy continues well beyond 2025.”
The National Coordinator, Para Badminton Association of Nigeria, Samuel Ekeoma, said that para-athletes, drawn from 16 states of the federation, would be contesting in six categories.
Mr Ekeoma, a member of the Local Organising Committee, commended the governor for sustaining the tempo of promoting para-badminton not just in Nigeria but also in Africa.
“It is only Abia that has been hosting para-badminton championship in Nigeria, since the inception of this competition,” he said.
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Badminton stars Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap have announced their divorce after seven years of marriage, as revealed in an Instagram post by Saina in July 2025. Despite sharing a passion for …
Badminton stars Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap have decided to separate after 7 years of marriage and a 14-year relationship. Their love story began in 1997 and culminated in marriage in 2018 …
Saina Nehwal is admired by many for her victories on the court. However, what goes on behind the scenes is just as important. This year, in a candid chat, she revealed her workout routine, cheat days, …
