Valiyaveetil Diju

Born on 4th January 1981, in Kerala, Valiyaveetil Diju, also known as V. Diju, is a well-known Indian badminton player who predominantly participates in doubles and mixed doubles events. He is the second badminton player of Kerala after Vimal Kumar who participated in the Olympics. Diju has represented India in various national and international badminton tournaments including the London Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Diju won six National Championships title, five in the mixed doubles and one in the men's doubles.

A brief account of his achievements:-

• Debuted his badminton career in 1997 and represented India in the Price Asian Junior Badminton Championship that took place in Hong Kong
• Dominated the Doubles event of the Indian National Badminton Championships along with Sanave Thomas in 2002
• Secured a silver medal in the mixed doubles event with Jwala Gutta at 2006 Commonwealth Games
• At the 2006 South Asian Games, Diju clinched two gold medals in men's team & mixed doubles event 
• In 2009, V. Diju and Jwala Gutta became the first Indian badminton mixed doubles pair to win a Grand Prix Gold title for the nation
• Bagged a gold medal in the mixed doubles event with Jwala Gutta at 2008 Bitburger Open, India's first victory in mixed doubles Grand Prix
• Diju along with Jwala Gutta became the first Indian badminton mixed doubles pair to bag a Grand Prix Gold title at 2009 Chinese Taipei Grand Prix
• He secured a silver medal in the mixed doubles event with Jwala Gutta at 2010 Commonwealth Games. In the same year, the duo also claimed the 2010 India Open Grand Prix Gold title.
• Earned three gold medals at the 2010 South Asian Games in men's team, men's doubles & mixed doubles event 
• Represented India at the 2012 London Olympics and became the first Indian badminton player to compete at the Olympics in the mixed doubles with Jwala Gutta
• The Government of Kerala honoured him with the "C.V. Raja Award" for 2012-13
• In 2014, he was bestowed with the "Arjuna Award" given by the Government of India. The same year, he received the Jimmy George award, Vivekanandha sports excellence award, and Youth Excellence Award for his astounding performance in badminton.