Asian Games champion shuttler Satwiksairaj Rankireddy’s father R Kasi Viswanatham passed away on Thursday morning.
As per reports, R Kasi Viswanatham succumbed to a cardiac arrest
Satwik is currently in New Delhi for the 43rd PSPB Inter-Unit badminton tournament. He was scheduled to receive the prestigious Khel Ratna award on Thursday.
His father, a retired physical education teacher, was incidentally set to travel to New Delhi and join his son for the ceremony but as fate would have it, he tragically passed away before he could make the trip.
As per reports, Viswanatham suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday morning.
He traveling with his wife, Rangamani, and a friend via road to the Rajahmundry airport. They were expected to join Satwink at the national capital ahead of the award ceremony.
Indian shuttler Satwiksairaj Rankireddy’s father R Kasi Viswanatham passed away of cardiac arrest on Thursday morning.
R Kasi Viswanatham was a retired physical education teacher and was set to join Satwik for Khel Ratna award ceremony on Thursday. #Badminton pic.twitter.com/WUa69KP5kV
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) February 20, 2025
Per a report from Sportstar, on the way to the airport, Viswanatham complained of uneasiness. He was taken to a hospital nearby where he was declared ‘brought dead.’
Satwik’s brother is currently in the US and is expected to return for the funeral proceedings which is expected to place on Saturday.
The 24-year-old Satwik is reportedly traveling back to Hyderabad to be with his family.
A prodigious talent, Satwik found success in men’s doubles while partnering Chirag Shetty.
Satwik had a breakthrough season in 2022, winning bronze at the Tokyo world championships, silver at the Commonwealth Games, gold at the Asian Games and gold with the Indian men’s team at the 2022 Thomas Cup.
The pair – popularly know as ‘Satchi’ – have a string of firsts to them.
They were the only Indian doubles pair to become No. 1 in World Rankings and the first Indian pair to win a gold medal at the Asian Games in badminton.
Incidentally, Satwik also has a Guinness World Record to his name for the fastest hit in badminton by a male player, with his smash registering a mindboggling speed of 565 km/h.
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