Lakshya Sen: Heartbreak For India As Promising Shuttler Finishes 4th

India faced heartbreak as Lakshya Sen, the nation's first male shuttler to enter the Olympic finals, was defeated by Malaysia's Lee Jii Zia 21-13, 16-21, 11-21 in the Bronze Medal match. The 22-year-old was unstoppable in the first round but lost momentum after an elbow injury in the following bouts. Sen also had to frequently replace his bandage which was soaked in blood, leading to multiple halts in play. It is the first time in 12 years that India has returned without a medal in badminton at the Olympics. 

Sen earlier scripted history as the first Indian male shuttler and third Indian overall-- after Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal-- to enter the badminton singles semi-finals at the Games. Badminton legend Prakash Padukone expressed disappointment in Sen's defeat in Paris.

"He played well of course, but I'm a little disappointed that we could not get even one medal from badminton this year. We were contenders for three medals-- I would have been happy with at least one." Padukone said. The veteran athlete added that the badminton players must "step up and win."

Breaking 🚨 #PrakashPadukone Explosive!

🗣️ It's high time players take responsibility. The Govt and Federations are doing enough!

🗣️ Vimal and I are not happy with this result!

Prakash Padukone after #LakshyaSen's loss in the bronze medal match.

Listen in 👇… pic.twitter.com/4TXVb8DLu8

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) August 5, 2024

"The sports ministry, the Sports Authority of India, the foundations, etc have done their bit. I don't think anybody could have done anything more than what the government has done. It's high time the players also start taking some responsibility and deliver when it matters the most," Padukone shared.

Who Is Lakshya Sen?

Sen, born on August 16, 2001, in Almora, Uttarakhand, hails from a Bengali family deeply rooted in the sport of badminton. His grandfather, the late Chandra Lal Sen, introduced badminton to the Himalayan town of Almora, setting the stage for Lakshya's future in the sport. 

His father, D. K. Sen, not only played a pivotal role in his upbringing but also serves as his coach, guiding him through the challenges and triumphs of his career. Lakshya Sen's journey from a young talent in Almora to a rising star on the global badminton stage is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and unwavering spirit. This is his story.

Career Beginnings and Junior Achievements

Lakshya Sen's talent shone through at a young age, thanks to his training at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy. In 2016, he made significant strides in the junior badminton circuit, clinching a bronze medal at the Junior Asian Championship. He also demonstrated his prowess at the senior international level by winning the men's singles title at the 2016 India International Series tournament.

Sen's rise continued in 2017 as he became the number one junior singles player in the BWF World Junior ranking. Despite facing setbacks at the Junior Asian Championship and the Junior World Championship, his determination never wavered. He reached the quarter-finals of the Vietnam Open and consistently showcased his potential against top-ranked opponents.

In 2018, Lakshya Sen made a mark by defeating higher-ranked players at various international tournaments. His victory at the Asian Junior Championships, where he defeated the top-seeded World Junior No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn, was a testament to his skill and resilience. He also secured a silver medal at the Summer Youth Olympics and a bronze at the BWF Junior World Championships.

Sen's success extended into 2019, where he won multiple titles, including the Belgian International, the Dutch Open, the SaarLorLux Open, and the Scottish Open. These victories solidified his position as a formidable player on the international badminton circuit.

The year 2020 presented new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted Lakshya Sen's participation in international tournaments. Despite these setbacks, he remained a crucial member of the Indian team that clinched the bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Team Championships.

In December 2021, Sen reached the semi-finals of the World Championships, earning a bronze medal after a hard-fought match against compatriot Srikanth Kidambi. This achievement highlighted his growing stature in the sport and his ability to compete at the highest levels.

Peak Performances and Future Prospects

The year 2022 was marked by significant achievements for Lakshya Sen. He won his first Super 500 title at the India Open, defeating reigning world champion, Loh Kean Yew. He also played a pivotal role in India's historic victory at the Thomas Cup and secured a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. His consistent performances against top-ranked players like Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen underscored his potential to become a global badminton star.

Setting A Standard At Paris Olympics 2024

Despite the eventual loss, Lakshya Sen's performance at the Paris Olympics has been nothing short of spectacular. The Indian badminton prodigy stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of men's singles badminton after navigating through the highly competitive Group of Death. Sen stunned the badminton world by defeating World No. 4 and reigning All-England champion Jonatan Christie. This crucial Group L match on July 31 saw Sen triumph in just 50 minutes with scores of 21-18, 21-12 against the 2018 Asian Games gold medalist as reported by IndiaToday.

This victory sent shockwaves through the badminton community, as Christie was considered one of the favourites to medal at the Paris Games. With this win, Sen became the first Indian men's singles shuttler to advance to the knockout stage of the Olympics since Kidambi Srikanth's feat at the 2016 Rio Games. 

Despite heading into the match with a 1-4 head-to-head record and having lost to Christie twice earlier in the year, including in the All England Open semi-final, Sen rose to the occasion. Initially, Christie took an early lead, but Sen's ability to adapt and strategize shone through. Opting to receive on the slower side of the court, Sen adjusted his play, avoiding high lifts and engaging in flat rallies that pressured Christie.

The match turned into a high-paced battle, with Sen's aggressive approach eventually paying off. He overturned a deficit to lead 11-10 at the mid-game interval and maintained his momentum, winning five consecutive points from 16-18 to clinch the opening game. Sen's audacious behind-the-back shot and overall dominant performance in the second game, fueled by crowd support, sealed his place in the knockout round. One of his extraordinary shots during the match went viral on social media, capturing the attention of badminton enthusiasts worldwide.