New Delhi: India badminton legend Nandu Natekar breathed his last on Wednesday morning. He was 88-years-old.Natekar is well known for his heroics in the court, which also include the honour of being the first Indian to secure anĀ overseas tournament. Natekar had achieved this huge feat by winning theĀ Sellanger International in Malaysia in 1956.
Natekar in his prime during the 1950s had reached the quarterfinals of the prestigiousĀ All England Open and almost three decades later the shuttler went on to win theĀ veterans event of the competitionĀ in the doubles category.
Natekar was honoured with sports gallantry honours, the Arjuna Award in 1961 and had also represented India at the 1965 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica.
Natekar’s son, Gaurav, also a sportsperson, represented India in tennis and along with Leander Paes went on to secure a gold at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games.