Next jump-smash star Hariharan: Raised on borrowed shuttles, unpaid loans

Hariharan, a rising star in badminton, will make his India debut in men's doubles at the Delhi World Championships this week. His coach, Pullela Gopichand, describes him as "world-class," and comparisons have been drawn to fellow doubles player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. Coming from a background of financial hardship, Hariharan's journey to the top tier has been marked by unpaid loans and the need to borrow shuttles.

His father, Amsakarunan, spent his life booking flight tickets for others, but struggled to pay for his own son's tournaments. Despite this, Amsakarunan always managed to find the money, even if it meant skipping meets if Hari lost in the first round. His older sister, Deepika, credits his rise to the upper echelons of doubles to her determination and the support of various coaches and benevolent individuals.

Amsakarunan's passing six years ago also took a toll on Hariharan, who found solace in badminton to manage his grief. The smash, clocked at 470kph+, has become a signature move for the 22-year-old. His technical skills in jumps and runs were honed when he shifted to Hyderabad and began training with Satwik-Chirag. Despite his success, Hariharan remains humble and continues to return to his hometown of Mannargudi once a year to celebrate his mother's favorite dish, Pongal.