The Space Shuttler

KIDAMBI SRIKANTH STEPS OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND INTO THE LIMELIGHT WITH AN EMPHATIC AND EXCITING VICTORY AT THE INDONESIA OPEN SUPER SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

- Amarnath K. Menon

He is swiftly emerging from the shadow of his illustrious colleagues Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu. And given his current form, it seems that Kidambi Srikanth, 24, will become the first Indian male to do what India’s female shuttlers have already done—rise to the top by beating the world’s best in badminton.

On June 18, Srikanth won the Indonesia Open Super Series championship at Jakarta, the first time an Indian male had done so. He did so by outplaying Japan’s Kazumasa Sakai (21-11, 21-19), having already defeated the world champion, South Korea’s Son Wan-Ho, in the semi-final. Srikanth’s reward—aside from the $75,000 tournament prize—was his new status as India’s most successful badminton player, after Saina Nehwal, in the Super Series events.

“And it’s Super Series Premier title,” Srikanth wrote on Instagram after he won. “I had to wait two years for this.... Special thanks to my coaches and physiotherapist.” With this, he becomes the first Indian male to clinch a Super Series, a Super Series Premier and a Grand Prix Gold title.