Yatish Kumar
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Pullela Gopichand
All-England Champion (2001) — second Indian (after Prakash Padukone) to win men’s singles at All-England; this victory raised badminton’s profile in India.
Founder of Gopichand Badminton Academy (Hyderabad) that trained Olympic medallists (e.g., P. V. Sindhu, Saina Nehwal were coached in his system).
Recipient of Arjuna Award (1999), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2001), Dronacharya Award (2009) and Padma Bhushan (2014)— recognitions for both playing and coaching.
Credited with institutionalising professional training and talent scouting in India; under his coaching tenure India won Olympic badminton medals (examples: Sindhu, Nehwal).