Suraj Wadhawan is an accomplished badminton player, having a unique and unparalleled skill set that set him apart from his competitors over five decades of competitive game play. His journey in sports began in India, where he dominated the local badminton scene.

Early in his career, he won the Provincial Championship in Doubles of Uttar Pradesh and won a combined total of 40 Gold and Silver medals from 1965- 1970 at local, university, and district competition which included winning the District Champion (Saharanpur) in Singles in 1967.

From 1966-67, he would be awarded Best Sportsman (Badminton) Trophy from Roorkee University.

Emigrating from India in 1970 to Nova Scotia to pursue his professional master’s degree in engineering, he joined the Nova Scotia Badminton Association. As an unranked player, he quickly demonstrated his talent by winning numerous competitions, earning nine Gold and 2 Silver medals from 1971-73.

As a result of his accomplishments, he was ranked number one in Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles, and sixth in Singles competition. Suraj continued to perform in the sport as a ranked player in Nova Scotia until moving to Newfoundland and Labrador in 1973 where he joined the Avalon Badminton Club and continued his dominance as a player.

From 1974 onwards he would win 25 Gold, 13 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals, which earned him a spot to represent NL at the 1975 Canada Winter Games in Lethbridge Alberta, and at the District Open Championship in Halifax.

In addition to these accomplishments, Suraj earned the title of Maritime and Atlantic Champion in Canada and participated in National competition in India and Canada to represent Uttar Pradesh, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Described as one of the best badminton players from Newfoundland in terms of technique, style, grace, humility, and dedication to the game as an athlete and sportsman, Suraj has been the recipient of more than 90 medals, trophies, and distinctions, including being inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Badminton Hall of Fame in 1992.

Suraj continues to play badminton at a social level and mentor junior players to help them improve their game to train for competitions.