Pullela Gopichand Family Tree: The Story Behind India's Badminton Coach

Pullela Gopichand, born 16 November 1973 in Nagandla, Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, India, is India's most-celebrated badminton coach and former player — 2001 All England Open Champion (India's 2nd after Prakash Padukone); founded Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (Hyderabad, 2008) — produced Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, Parupalli Kashyap, and many more; Padma Bhushan (2014), Dronacharya Award (2009), Padma Shri (2005).

The Family's Roots: An Andhra Pradesh Family

The Pullela family is from Nagandla, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh.

His Parents

Father: Subhash Pullela — South Central Railway employee.

Mother: Subbaravamma Pullela — Andhra Pradesh.

His Brother

Rajasekhar Pullela — Gopichand's elder brother.

His Wife: P. V. V. Lakshmi

P. V. V. Lakshmi — Indian badminton player (former national team). Married Gopichand.

Their Children

Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, born 1 October 2003 — daughter; badminton player (Indian doubles team).

Sai Vishnu Pullela, born 2005 — son; badminton player.

The Gopichand Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Subhash Pullela — railway employee.

Mother: Subbaravamma Pullela.

Brother: Rajasekhar Pullela.

Wife: P. V. V. Lakshmi — former national badminton player.

Children: Gayatri Gopichand (b. 1 October 2003) — badminton; Sai Vishnu (b. 2005) — badminton.

Pullela Gopichand:

  • Born 16 November 1973, Nagandla
  • Started badminton at 13
  • Trained by SM Arif at PDBA Hyderabad
  • All England Open Champion: March 2001 (India's 2nd after Prakash Padukone)
  • 1998 Commonwealth Games team gold + individual silver
  • National Badminton Champion: 1996-2000 (5 consecutive)
  • Retired 2003
  • Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy founded 2008 in Hyderabad
  • National Chief Coach 2006-2019
  • Padma Shri (2005), Dronacharya Award (2009), Padma Bhushan (2014)
  • Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna: 2001 (India's highest sporting honor)

What the Gopichand Family Story Teaches Us

A railway-employee father. A homemaker mother. A brother. A wife who was a national badminton player. Two children — both badminton players. A career that combined India's 2nd All England Championship with coaching Sindhu and Nehwal to Olympic medals.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Gopichand story carries the same lesson. Some careers transition from champion to coach and produce a generation of Olympic medallists.

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