Syed Modi

Syed Modi
Personal information
Nickname(s)
Babua by family and friends
BornSyed Mahdi Hassan Zaidi
(1962-12-31)31 December 1962
Died28 July 1988(1988-07-28) (aged 25)
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Years active1976–1988
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Sport
CountryIndia
SportBadminton
Coached byDipu Ghosh
EventMen's singles
Medal record
Men's badminton
Representing  India
Commonwealth Games
1982 Brisbane Men's singles
Asian Games
1982 New Delhi Men's singles
1982 New Delhi Men's team
1986 Seoul Men's team
Asian Championships
1983 Calcutta Men's team

Syed Modi (31 December 1962 – 28 July 1988), born as Syed Mehdi Hassan Zaidi, was an Indian badminton singles player and eight-time National Badminton champion (1980–1987). His most notable achievement at the international badminton circuit came in the form of men's singles title at the 1982 Commonwealth Games. He also won three other international titles, namely Austrian International (in 1983 & 1984) and USSR International (in 1985), both of which were European Badminton Circuit tournaments.

Modi's career was cut short in his prime when he was shot dead on 28 July 1988 in Lucknow as he came out of the K. D. Singh Babu Stadium after a practice session. The murder sent shockwaves through India, especially after the police filed murder charges against Modi's wife, Ameeta, and her lover (and future husband) Sanjay Sinh.