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Aparna Popat is undoubtedly the finest women shuttler India has ever produced. Born in Mumbai on January 18, 1978, Aparna's petite frame belies her giant-killing acts in both national and international events.
Ever since Aparna captured her first senior national title in 1998, she has loomed over the national championship, winning the women's singles title for the eighth year on trot in the 69th Senior National Badminton Championship at Jamshedpur in February 2005.
In addition to maintaining a stranglehold over the national title, Aparna has made her mark at the international stage as well. She won the Women's Singles in the French Open, Paris in 1998 and a silver at the Commonwealth Games at Kuala Lumpur in the same year. She was also the runner-up in the World Junior Championship at Denmark in 1996.
Despite possessing talent in abundance, Aparna has yet to make it big in the international level where the Chinese brigade rules the roost. Fully capable of beating the best, Aparna must work hard to hold her own against top-flight opponents.
Aparna Popat has been awarded the Arjuna Award for the year 2005.
