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By S.N. Venkatnag Sobers
Shuttle badminton has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with a growing number of young players taking it up professionally. What began as a recreational pastime among British expatriates in the 1860s has steadily evolved into a mainstream sport embraced by the younger generation. Pioneers like Prakash Padukone, the first Indian to win the All England Badminton Championship in 1980, played a key role in bringing national recognition to the sport. He was followed by Pullela Gopichand, who also won the prestigious All England title, Olympic medallists like Saina Nehwal — India’s first Olympic badminton medal winner — and P.V. Sindhu, a double Olympic medallist and BWF World Champion, who helped place India firmly on the global badminton map.
Kodagu, a region renowned for producing hockey legends, has also made its mark in badminton through players like Ashwini Ponnappa, who has won multiple medals in international competitions. Now joining the list of Kodagu’s badminton achievers is 17-year-old Boppanda Diya Bheemaiah.
Coming from a family of sports people, Diya has made significant strides in national and international badminton. She was part of the Indian women’s team that participated in the Asian U-17 Badminton Championship held in Chengdu, China, last year, where she competed in the doubles event.
Her achievements include: Bronze in singles and silver in doubles at the Nepal Junior International Series held in Tripureswar in December 2024; Silver in singles and bronze in mixed doubles at the 36th Sub-Junior Badminton Tournament held in Tamil Nadu in 2024; and Winner of the U-19 All India Krishna Khaitan Badminton Tournament – 2024, held in Panchkula, Haryana, among other accolades.
A II PUC student at Vidyaashram College in Mysuru, Diya trains under coach Arun Pemmaiah at Sports Park, Mysuru. Her father, Boppanda B. Bheemaiah, is also a badminton coach, while her mother, K.K. Kusuma (Kambiranda), a former international athlete, now works as a fitness coach. Diya’s younger brother, B.B. Vishal Uthappa, is also a budding badminton player.
Star of Mysore caught up with Diya Bheemaiah for an interview as she prepares for the upcoming National Junior Championship to be held in Bengaluru. Following this, she will head to Guwahati, Assam, to train at the National Centre of Excellence — a facility where only a select few players are offered the opportunity to train. Excerpts…
Star of Mysore (SOM): What inspired you to take up badminton?
Diya Bheemaiah: I used to watch my father play when I was a kid. Initially, I picked it up just for fun, but I gradually developed a deep interest in the sport. I’ve been playing professionally for the past eight years now.
SOM: Why did you shift your base from Madikeri in Kodagu to Mysuru?
Diya Bheemaiah: It was purely for badminton. I moved here when I was in the 6th standard and stayed in a PG accommodation. After the COVID-19 pandemic, my family shifted to Mysuru. It had become difficult to practice in Madikeri, my hometown, especially during the rainy season when we could barely step out of the house. That’s when we decided to move to Mysuru permanently.
SOM: Can you tell us about your daily routine and diet?
Diya Bheemaiah: I wake up around 5 am and attend my fitness session from 5.45 am to 7.15 am. After a short break, I have my on-court session from 9.30 am to 12 noon, where I focus on strokes and technique. Then there’s a lunch break, followed by another session from 1.30 pm. After that, I take a two-hour break before heading to the gym from 6 pm to 7.15 pm. That’s my daily routine for now.
As for my diet, my mother is particular about it. She prepares nutritious meals every day. Of course, to achieve anything great in sports, you have to sacrifice your cravings. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve had ice cream and junk food is completely off my list.
SOM: How have your parents supported you in your badminton endeavours?
Diya Bheemaiah: They’ve been extremely supportive. My mother takes care of my diet and fitness, while my father helps me improve my game. One of them always accompanies me during tournaments to ensure I stay focused and eat healthy.
SOM: You play in all three categories — singles, doubles & mixed doubles. How do you manage different techniques and mindsets required?
Diya Bheemaiah: In singles, the player is solely responsible for his/her performance and has to give the best. In doubles, it’s all about trust and coordination with your partner. When things aren’t going well, it’s also about encouraging each other and making a strong comeback together.
SOM: Badminton is an expensive sport. How have you been managing?
Diya Bheemaiah: Right now, my parents and coaches are supporting me financially. But there is a need for sponsorship. Even though many of us perform well, we often don’t receive any sponsorship. Players end up spending from their own pockets for racquets, training and travel. The State Government has not been very supportive either. The Karnataka Badminton Association only covers our travel and stay during the national championships. I feel that society should come forward and support sportspersons who are consistently performing.
Diya Bheemaiah seen with her father Boppanda B. Bheemaiah,
mother K.K. Kusuma and younger brother B.B. Vishal Uthappa.
SOM: Being a Science student, how are you managing your studies along with badminton?
Diya Bheemaiah: Thankfully, my college has been supportive. They not only consider my attendance but also send me daily online class recordings, which help me stay updated academically. Besides, my teachers are always available. I can call them anytime to clarify my doubts.
SOM: Your plans after II PUC?
Diya Bheemaiah: Professional badminton will always be my priority. However, I also intend to specialise in Sports Psychology. But for now, my focus is on badminton and completing my II PUC with good marks. As for my dream — I aspire to become the World No. 1 and make history by winning three Olympic medals for the country.
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