Valiyaveetil Diju is a former Indian badminton player who specialized in doubles, primarily excelling in mixed doubles with partner Jwala Gutta. He clinched six National Championships titles, once in the men’s doubles and five times in the mixed doubles.
He represented India in the 2012 London Olympics and became the first Indian player to participate in the Olympics in the mixed doubles alongside Jwala Gutta.
Here we have Valiyaveetil Diju’s net worth, earnings, salary, career, achievements, and more.
Valiyaveetil Diju’s Biography
| Full Name | Valiyaveetil Diju |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 4, 1981 |
| Birthplace | Kerala, India |
| Specialization | Mixed Doubles, Men’s Doubles |
| Partner (Mixed) | Jwala Gutta |
| Notable Achievement | Arjuna Award |
Valiyaveetil Diju was born on January 4, 1981, in Ramanattukara, located in the Calicut district, Kerala, to parents Karunakaran and Lalitha. He completed his early education at Govt.
Model Boys School in Thrissur before graduating from Farook College, Calicut. Currently, Diju holds the position of Chief Manager at ONGC in Chennai.
On September 16, 2012, he married Dr. Soumya, and the couple welcomed their son, Ivaan, on February 16, 2017. Diju also has an elder brother named Dinu.
Career
Diju’s career highlights include notable performances at the South Asian Games, BWF Superseries Finals, BWF Grand Prix, and IBF International tournaments.
He made history in 2009 by becoming the first Indian mixed doubles player to qualify for the BWF Superseries Finals alongside Jwala Gutta, where they reached the runner-up position.
That year, they also secured victories in the Chinese Taipei Open and were finalists in the India Open Grand Prix.
Diju’s partnership with Gutta also led to success at the 2008 Bitburger Open, where they triumphed against top-seeded European players.
Additionally, in 2008, they won titles at the Bulgarian Open and reached the finals of several other major events, marking them as one of India’s strongest mixed doubles pairs.
Diju started his Olympic campaign pairing Jwala Gutta in mixed doubles. However, they lost their opening match 16–21, 12–21 in just 25 minutes at the Wembley Arena in London.
Diju also succeeded in men’s doubles, winning the Hungarian International in 2000 and the Bahrain International Challenge in 2013.
Achievements
- 2009 BWF Superseries Finals: Runner-up (Mixed Doubles with Jwala Gutta)
- 2008 Bitburger Open: Winner (Mixed Doubles with Jwala Gutta)
- 2008 Bulgarian Open: Winner (Mixed Doubles with Jwala Gutta)
- 2000 Hungarian International: Winner (Men’s Doubles with Sanave Thomas)
Valiyaveetil Diju’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Valiyaveetil Diju’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million, accumulated primarily from prize money, sponsorships, and endorsements throughout his successful badminton career.
Although exact earnings from individual tournaments are not publicly available, his participation in the BWF Superseries Finals, BWF Grand Prix, and other international events would have earned him substantial prize money.
Prize Money
| Event | Prize Money (Approx) |
|---|---|
| BWF Superseries Finals (2009) | $25,000 |
| Bitburger Open (2008) | $15,000 |
| India Open Grand Prix | $20,000 |
| Other International Tournaments | $10,000+ |
Salary
As a professional player, Diju earned through winnings, sponsorship deals, and match appearances. His annual earnings are estimated to range from $50,000 to $100,000 during the peak of his career.
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth (Approx) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $800,000 |
| 2021 | $850,000 |
| 2022 | $900,000 |
| 2023 | $950,000 |
| 2024 | $1,000,000 |
FAQs
1. Who is Valiyaveetil Diju?
Valiyaveetil Diju, also known as V. Diju, is an Indian badminton player from Kozhikode, Kerala. He is renowned for his achievements in mixed doubles and men’s doubles events.
2. What are Valiyaveetil Diju’s major achievements in badminton?
Diju has won six National Championships (five in mixed doubles and one in men’s doubles). He was the first Indian to reach the top 10 in the BWF mixed doubles rankings, peaking at No. 6. He also won the 2008 Bitburger Open and the 2009 Chinese Taipei Open with Jwala Gutta.
3. Did Valiyaveetil Diju participate in the Olympics?
Yes, Diju represented India at the 2012 London Olympics in mixed doubles alongside Jwala Gutta, becoming the first Indian pair to compete in this category.
4. What awards has Valiyaveetil Diju received?
He received the Arjuna Award in 2014 for his contributions to Indian badminton. He has also been honored with the G.V. Raja Award, Jimmy George Award, and Vivekananda Sports Excellence Award.
5. What is Valiyaveetil Diju’s contribution to mixed doubles badminton in India?
Diju is considered a pioneer of Indian mixed doubles badminton. His partnership with Jwala Gutta brought recognition to this category, inspiring future players.
6. What are some of Valiyaveetil Diju’s notable international wins?
His notable victories include winning the 2008 Bitburger Open and the 2009 Chinese Taipei Open, both Grand Prix titles, with Jwala Gutta.
7. What is Valiyaveetil Diju’s educational background?
Diju completed his schooling at Govt. Model Boys School, Thrissur, and graduated from Farook College, Calicut.
8. What role does Valiyaveetil Diju currently play in badminton?
Although still active in senior national tournaments, he also trains aspiring players as part of Badminton Gurukul, an initiative promoting sports literacy.
9. What challenges has Valiyaveetil Diju faced in his career?
Despite his achievements, he has expressed concerns about the slow progress of mixed doubles badminton in India compared to other categories.
10. What is Valiyaveetil Diju’s personal life like?
Born on January 4, 1981, in Ramanattukara, Kerala, he is married to Dr. Soumya and has a son named Ivaan. He works as a Chief Manager at ONGC in Chennai.
