Badminton

India's Lakshya Sen's Denmark Open campaign came to an abrupt end on Tuesday as he succumbed to a three-game defeat against China's Lu Guang Zu in the opening round. The 2021 World Championship bronze medalist squandered an early advantage, losing 21-12 19-21 14-21 in a grueling 70-minute encounter.Sen, who finished fourth at the Paris Olympics, had previously suffered a second-round exit at the Arctic Open in Finland last week. His loss in Odense marks another setback in his post-Olympic campaign.Meanwhile, double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu advanced to the second round after her opponent, Pai Yu Po of Chinese Taipei, retired midway through the second game with the score reading 21-8 13-7 in favor of the Indian.However, Malvika Bansod, who reached the quarterfinals at the China Open, failed to overcome the opening hurdle, losing 13-21 12-21 to Vietnam's Nguyen Thuy Linh in women's singles. Aakarshi Kashyap also faced an early exit, falling 13-21 12-21 to seventh-seeded Thai shuttler Supanida Katethong.In women's doubles, the Panda sisters, Rutaparna and Swetaparna, also made a first-round exit, losing 18-21 22-24 against Chinese Taipei's Chang Ching Hui and Yang Ching Tun.Sen, who was competing in his second event since the Olympics, started strongly against Lu, keeping pace with his Chinese rival before pulling ahead at 8-8 and taking an 11-9 advantage at the break. The Indian extended his lead to 20-11 with a seven-point burst, comfortably pocketing the opening game.However, Lu rallied in the second game, narrowing the gap to 11-12 and eventually taking a 19-18 lead. Sen drew parity, but Lu secured the required two points to script a comeback.In the decider, Lu maintained his composure and pulled ahead to 14-9, while Sen struggled to keep pace. Lu seized six match points and sealed the victory when Sen went long.

Indian shuttlers faced a disappointing end to their Arctic Open campaign in Finland on Thursday, with all representatives bowing out in the pre-quarterfinals.Lakshya Sen, India's top-ranked player, squandered a one-game lead to lose 21-19, 18-21, 15-21 to seventh-seeded Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei. The match lasted an arduous one hour and 10 minutes.Qualifier Kiran George, who had upset World No. 25 Wang Tzu Wei in the first round, was outplayed 17-21, 8-21 by fifth-seeded Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.In the women's singles, Malvika Bansod fell 15-21, 8-21 to former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand. Unnati Hooda and Aakarshi Kashyap also suffered defeats in their respective matches.Unnati lost 10-21, 19-21 to Canada's Michelle Li, while Aakarshi went down 9-21, 8-21 to second-seeded Han Yue of China.The mixed doubles pair of Sathish Kumar Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath lost 12-21, 15-21 to the Chinese duo of Cheng Xing and Zhang Chi.In the final Indian match of the day, the women's doubles pair of Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda were defeated 8-21, 10-21 by top seeds Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning of China.The Arctic Open is a Super 500 tournament on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour.

India's rising badminton star Lakshya Sen has advanced to the men's singles round of 16 at the Arctic Open Super 500 tournament in Finland. Sen's opponent, Rasmus Gemke, withdrew from their opening round match on Wednesday, giving Sen a walkover.Sen, who narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal in Tokyo, will face the winner of the match between seventh seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei and qualifier Arnaud Merkle of France in the next round. Qualifier Kiran George is the only other Indian in action on Wednesday, taking on Tzu Wei Wang of Chinese Taipei later in the day.On Tuesday, Malvika Bansod continued her impressive form this year by upsetting world No. 23 Sung Shuo Yun of Chinese Taipei in the women's singles. Bansod, who won her first title in over two years in February, showed her resilience in a hard-fought match, winning 21-19, 24-22. However, she faces a tough challenge in the next round against former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand.Another promising Indian shuttler, Unnati Hooda, defeated Brazil's Juliana Viana Viera to set up an encounter against Michelle Li of Canada. Rising star Aakarshi Kashyap also progressed to the round of 16 on Tuesday night, beating Germany's Yvonne Li. She will next face second seed Yue Han of China.India's badminton contingent is looking to make a strong showing at the Arctic Open Super 500 tournament. With Sen, Bansod, Hooda, and Kashyap all advancing to the later rounds, India has a chance to secure multiple medals.

Lakshya Sen, India's rising badminton star, made history at the Paris Olympics 2024 by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semi-finals. However, his Olympic dream was shattered as he narrowly missed out on a medal, losing to Viktor Axelsen in the semi-final and Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match.Despite the disappointment, Sen's performance was a testament to his talent and hard work. He displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, showcasing his potential as a future champion.After his semi-final loss, Sen expressed his devastation at not being able to secure a medal for India. He acknowledged that he could have been more clinical in the crucial stages of the match. However, he remained positive, recognizing that there were areas where he could improve.Prakash Padukone, a legendary Indian badminton player, expressed his disappointment but also emphasized the need for Indian players to deliver results, given the support they receive. He pointed out that Sen had performed well but could have done better.Sen acknowledged Padukone's advice and appreciated the support he received from the badminton community. He highlighted the guidance and encouragement he received from Prakash Padukone and his daughter, Deepika Padukone.Despite the setback, Sen remains determined to achieve his Olympic dream. He is confident that he can learn from his experiences and return stronger in the future. His performance at the Paris Olympics has ignited hope and inspiration among Indian badminton fans, who believe that he has the potential to become one of the greatest players in the sport.

Lakshya Sen, India's rising badminton star, has embarked on a journey to Austria to undergo a comprehensive physical evaluation at the renowned Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre in Salzburg. This assessment aims to optimize his fitness and performance ahead of the upcoming BWF circuit tournaments.The 22-year-old Almora native, who narrowly missed an Olympic medal in Paris, will undergo a series of tests to gain a detailed understanding of his physical capabilities. The evaluation will focus on specific strength aspects, which are crucial for elite athletes.Lakshya's trainer, Gaurav, and 15-year-old junior shuttler Nishchal Chand from Uttarakhand will accompany him during his week-long stay in Austria. Chand's presence will ensure that Lakshya remains sharp and engaged with the game.Vimal Kumar, Lakshya's coach, emphasized the importance of this assessment in preventing injuries and maximizing his potential. "Lakshya needs to improve his fitness, especially his speed and endurance," Kumar said. "The game he plays is fast-paced, and he needs to be able to defend and convert defense into offense effectively."Kumar also highlighted the challenges of playing in windy conditions, which require exceptional fitness and the ability to control the drift of the shuttle.Lakshya's upcoming tournament schedule includes the Hong Kong Super 500 and China Open Super 1000 in late September. The physical evaluation in Austria is expected to provide valuable insights that will help him prepare for these tournaments and beyond.

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.

Lakshya Sen, India's rising badminton star, shared his Olympic experience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a felicitation ceremony at the Prime Minister's residence on Independence Day. Sen, who made history as the first Indian shuttler to reach the semifinals in men's badminton at the Olympics, reflected on the challenges and cherished moments of his debut at the Games.Sen revealed that he had long matches right from the start, which required intense focus. Despite the demands of the competition, athletes made time to socialize, often having dinner and meeting other international athletes. "It was a big thing to share a dining room with some of them," Sen remarked, emphasizing the meeting with other athletes.He admitted, "As a first-time Olympian, I was nervous during my initial matches, especially with the pressure of performing in front of a massive crowd. However, as the tournament progressed, I regained confidence and settled into my game."Prime Minister Narendra Modi also acknowledged Sen's performance, reminding him, "You are from 'Devbhumi (Uttarakhand),' and you are a celebrity now." The Prime Minister's words highlighted the pride of the nation in Sen's achievements, even without a medal.In response, Sen shared a behind-the-scenes story, mentioning that coach Prakash Padukone took his phone during his matches to help him stay focused. "Prakash Sir had taken away my phone during the matches, and said you won't get it until the matches are over," Sen said.Sen, made history as the first Indian shuttler to reach the semifinals in men's badminton at the Olympics. He topped his group with victories over top players like Indonesia's Jonatan Christie and compatriot HS Prannoy in the round of 16. He also stunned Chou Tien-chen in the quarterfinals. But he fell short of bagging his maiden Olympics medal after losing to world no. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the semifinal.Reflecting on the overall support he received, Sen expressed, "It was heartbreaking, coming so close to a win but falling short in the end."PM Modi then offered words of encouragement to a shuttler from Almora, stating, “It would have been great if you came back with a medal, but still, you played well. But, people watch with excitement, not just from abroad, but children in our country are inspired by how well you played in the Olympics.”Sen concluded by expressing his determination to continue improving his game, practicing hard, and serving as an inspiration to young badminton players in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a reception for the Indian contingent that participated in the recently concluded Paris Olympics. The event was held after the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, where the athletes were also in attendance.During the reception, Modi interacted with the athletes, including Lakshya Sen, who finished fourth in the men's singles badminton competition. Modi praised Sen's performance and noted his growth since their first meeting. Sen revealed that his coach, Prakash Padukone, had taken away his phone during the matches to minimize distractions.Modi also had a light-hearted conversation with hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, who shared the team's experience of playing with 10 men for over 40 minutes in the quarterfinal against Great Britain. Singh credited the coaching staff and the team's motivation for their success in overcoming the adversity.The Prime Minister acknowledged the efforts of all the athletes who represented India and expressed his belief that the Paris Olympics will be a turning point for Indian sports. He emphasized the importance of learning from the experience and using it to prepare for the 2036 Olympics, which India is aiming to host.Modi termed the athletes as "India's soldiers of 2036 Olympics" and highlighted the value of their observations and experiences in planning for the future Games. He encouraged them to document their insights to ensure that India can provide the best possible facilities and management for the 2036 Olympics.

Nikhat Zareen, Chirag-Satwik, and Lakshya Sen, three promising Indian athletes, are among the 13 receiving support from the GoSports Foundation in Paris. Founded by former tennis player Deepthi Bopaiah, the foundation aims to empower athletes and foster their Olympic aspirations.Bopaiah, the CEO of GoSports, has been actively involved in the Paris Olympics, cheering on Indian athletes and exploring opportunities for future growth. While Sen narrowly missed a medal in badminton singles, the other athletes made significant progress in their respective events.GoSports played a pivotal role in pairing Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddyy, who were previously playing with different doubles partners. "Doubles can make a big difference in tournaments like the Thomas Cup and Olympics," said Bopaiah, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships.The foundation supports athletes across various disciplines, including sailing, shooting, athletics, and table tennis. "We provide comprehensive support, including physios, coaches, sports psychologists, and nutritionists," said Bopaiah. "Our goal is to create role models and inspire the people of India."While medals are a coveted outcome, Bopaiah believes that the journey and effort of each athlete should be celebrated. "The process and systems we put in place will ultimately lead to success," she said. "That's how we approach our work in sports."