Badminton

Lakshya Sen's Olympic Journey: A Tale of Promise and Missed OpportunityAt the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024, Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen showcased his immense talent, winning five consecutive matches before falling short in the final two, ultimately finishing fourth in the men's singles event. Reflecting on his performance, Lakshya has identified a crucial factor that contributed to the shift in momentum during his bronze medal match.In the semi-final, Lakshya faced eventual gold medalist Viktor Axelsen, leading by five and seven points in the first and second sets, respectively. However, he lost both sets, a setback that he attributes to unforced errors. "In crucial situations, I could've played differently," he admitted. "I didn't play well at all in the end, and there were a lot of unforced shots. I needed to be a bit more patient."In the bronze medal match against Lee Zii Jia, Lakshya won the opening game but lost the subsequent two. He pinpointed a specific area of the court as a contributing factor. "In the second game, that side of the court had some drift," he explained. "Even after the lead, I knew I couldn't control the shuttle. And then the momentum suddenly changed, and he started playing better."Despite the disappointment of not medaling, Lakshya remains optimistic about the future. "Overall, in how I played, there were some things I was happy and proud about at Paris," he said. "But this is gonna hurt for some time. I'm looking to add and change a lot of things moving forward."Lakshya's journey at the Paris Olympics serves as a testament to his potential and the challenges he faces. At just 23 years old, he has time on his side to improve and potentially become an Olympic medalist in the future. Even Viktor Axelsen, the reigning Olympic champion, has praised Lakshya's abilities, predicting that he will be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

Para-badminton star Aarti Patil has made a triumphant return to the international circuit, securing a bronze medal at the Bahrain Para-Badminton tournament after a lengthy absence due to a leg injury. Her impressive performance has propelled her up the world rankings, but she remains determined to reach the top 10 by August to qualify for Level 1 tournaments on the BWF circuit.Patil's journey back to the court has been marked by resilience and determination. Since her last international appearance at the BWF World Championship in Thailand in February, she has undergone rehabilitation and rigorous training to regain her form. Her efforts paid off in Bahrain, where she reached the semifinals in the women's SU5 category before falling to compatriot Manisha Ramadass.Despite the setback, Patil's performance has boosted her world ranking by six spots to 14th. However, she recognizes the need to climb further to achieve her goals. "I need to be in the top-12 to play the Level BWF tournaments, and that is my next target," she said. "But more importantly, I am focused on doing my best at the Asian Championship and next year's World Championship and working towards that goal."Patil's aspirations are supported by the Punit Balan Group, which has committed to providing financial assistance for three years. This support has eased the financial burden of competing in international tournaments, allowing Patil to focus on her training and performance."The cost of competing in these international tournaments has been increasing, and it is only thanks to the financial assistance from the Punit Balan group that I could afford to play in the World Championship and this tournament," Patil said. "I am looking forward to playing in Uganda and changing the color of my medal."Patil's journey is an inspiration to aspiring para-athletes. Her determination, resilience, and unwavering support from her sponsors demonstrate the power of perseverance and the importance of financial support in achieving sporting excellence.