Badminton

Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen is gearing up for the Paris Olympics, which begin next week, with a focus on improving his net game and addressing his tendency to concede points late in matches. The world No. 19 has been drawn in a tough Group L alongside Indonesian rival Jonatan Christie (WR 3), Guatemala's Kevin Cordon (WR 41), and Belgium's Julien Carragi (WR 52).Sen has been working diligently on his overall game, including defense, attack, and net play. He has also been paying special attention to closing out matches strongly, an area where he has struggled in the past."We have focused a lot on overall improving the game and we had a good time for the last 6-7 weeks where I could really work on all the areas of the game," Sen said. "From defense to attack and overall, we have tried to get better at everything, and at the same time, worked a lot on the areas (in) which I was not really good at (and) maybe give extra time on the net game, the defense and also closing stages."Sen is also adjusting to the different shuttle movement in Marseille, France, where he is currently training. He expects similar conditions in Paris and believes it is important to be sharp and aggressive in the closing stages of matches."It is important to be sharp and be aggressive. (In the) last few days, we are still trying to get good match practice here, play short games and also have a good match practice session so that I am sharp towards the end of the game," Sen said.The 22-year-old is set to represent India in his first Olympics and is determined to top his group. He is confident in his preparation and believes he can perform at his best."I'm thinking about the first match and also winning the group because it's a quite a tough group. Overall I feel really prepared to go out there and perform my best and the training has been good," Sen said. "Now it's just a matter of going there, settling in, and being ready for each match. I'll just take one match at a time as of now and give my best at the Olympics."Sen is aware of the potential pre-quarterfinal clash with compatriot HS Prannoy but is focused on topping his group first."We have seen the draw. It is a potential pre-quarter final but there is a lot of work to do before that. I am really focused on topping the group right now and then let's see what happens," he said.

Lakshya Sen's journey to the pinnacle of badminton has been marked by unwavering determination and a unique bond with his coach, Vimal Kumar. From a precocious 10-year-old to a world-class athlete, Lakshya's rise has been guided by Vimal's unwavering support and unconventional approach.In a pivotal match at the All England Open, Lakshya faced adversity against Anders Antonsen. Despite trailing in the decider, he rallied back with Vimal's fiery guidance. The match culminated in a thrilling victory, showcasing the resilience and fighting spirit that has become synonymous with Lakshya's game.Vimal's influence extends beyond the court. He has fostered an environment where Lakshya is encouraged to challenge authority and develop his own perspective. This approach has instilled in Lakshya a sense of independence and responsibility, empowering him to make informed decisions about his career.Lakshya's journey has not been without its challenges. As a teenager, he spent time in Denmark, living independently and honing his skills. This experience taught him the importance of self-reliance and the value of seeking opportunities beyond his comfort zone.Post-pandemic, Lakshya embarked on a new phase of his career, traveling alone to tournaments. This decision was driven by a desire to develop his ability to manage his own recovery and preparation. It also served as a rehearsal for the upcoming Olympics, where he will be without the support of a coach or physio.Lakshya's success has brought with it increased brand recognition and endorsement offers. Vimal has advised him to invest his earnings back into the sport, ensuring that he has the resources to continue his pursuit of excellence.As Lakshya prepares for the Olympics, Vimal remains confident in his abilities. He believes that Lakshya has the potential to achieve a medal, but emphasizes that the journey itself is of paramount importance.Lakshya's rise to the top is a testament to the power of determination, self-belief, and the unwavering support of a mentor who believes in his potential. As he embarks on the biggest stage of his career, Lakshya carries with him the lessons learned from his journey, guided by the unwavering presence of Vimal Kumar.

Legendary Indian badminton player Prakash Padukone will serve as a mentor to the 15-member Indian badminton squad at the upcoming Paris Olympics, scheduled to commence on July 26. Padukone, who became the first Indian to win the prestigious All England Championship, retired in 1991, just before badminton made its Olympic debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games.Padukone's inclusion in the Indian contingent is particularly significant for two players: Lakshya Sen and P.V. Sindhu. Sen is a product of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA), while Sindhu announced Padukone as her mentor ahead of the Paris Games after relocating her training base from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. Sindhu is preparing for her third Olympic appearance.The Indian badminton squad will also be accompanied by a team of eight support staff, including coaches and physiotherapists. Pullela Gopichand, the national chief coach, will lead the coaching staff, which also includes RMV Gurusaidutt, Agus Santosa, Vimal Kumar, and Mathias Boe. Zeinia Samar and Kiran Challagundla will serve as the team's physiotherapists.Gopichand is responsible for overseeing the national badminton program, while Gurusaidutt has been training HS Prannoy. Boe is the coach of the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, as well as the women's doubles combination of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto. Vimal Kumar, a former India coach, is currently training Lakshya Sen, while Agus has been training Sindhu in Bengaluru.Kiran Challagundla has been a long-time physiotherapist for the Indian badminton team, while Zeinia Samar recently joined Sindhu's camp after her move to Bengaluru in pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic medal.In the previous Olympics, Gopichand opted not to travel to Tokyo due to restrictions on the number of officials accompanying athletes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, at Paris, the Indian shuttlers will be aiming to continue their medal-winning streak, having secured a silver and two bronze medals over the past three editions of the Games.The badminton events at the Paris Olympics will commence on July 27 and conclude on August 5.

India's Lakshya Sen's impressive run at the Indonesia Open Super 1000 tournament came to an end in the quarterfinals, as he succumbed to a hard-fought defeat against world no.5 Anders Antonsen of Denmark. The match, which lasted for an hour and one minute, saw Sen put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short, losing 22-24, 18-21.The first game was a closely contested affair, with both players showcasing their exceptional skills. Sen, known for his quick reflexes and aggressive play, matched Antonsen's power and precision. The game went down to the wire, with both players tied at 22-22. However, it was Antonsen who managed to secure the crucial points, taking the game 24-22.The second game followed a similar pattern, with both players refusing to give an inch. Sen displayed his determination and resilience, fighting back from an early deficit to level the scores at 18-18. However, Antonsen's experience and composure proved to be the difference, as he capitalized on Sen's unforced errors to seal the game 21-18.Despite the defeat, Sen's performance at the Indonesia Open Super 1000 tournament was a testament to his growing stature in the badminton world. The 21-year-old Indian has consistently performed at a high level in recent months, and his quarterfinal appearance in Jakarta is a further indication of his potential.Antonsen, on the other hand, continues to be a formidable force in the men's singles circuit. The Danish shuttler has won several major titles in his career, including the 2020 European Championships and the 2021 BWF World Tour Finals. His victory over Sen extends his head-to-head record against the Indian to 3-2.In the semifinals, Antonsen will face eighth seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. Vitidsarn has also been in impressive form this season, having won the Thailand Open Super 500 tournament in May. The match promises to be another exciting encounter, with both players looking to secure a place in the final.

Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen emerged as the lone beacon of hope for India at the Indonesia Open Super 1000 tournament, securing a spot in the men's singles quarterfinals with a dominant victory over Japan's Kenta Nishimoto. Sen's impressive 21-9, 21-15 triumph in the pre-quarterfinal match showcased his exceptional skills and determination.However, the tournament proved to be a disappointment for India's women's doubles teams. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand bowed out after a hard-fought battle against Japan's Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara, losing 21-19, 19-21, 19-21 in the Round-of-16. Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa also suffered a setback, falling to South Korea's Ha Na Baek and So-Hee Lee 21-13, 19-21, 21-13.In the mixed doubles category, B Sumeeth Reddy and Sikki Reddy were unable to overcome the challenge of China's Siwei Zheng and Yaqiong Huang, losing 21-9, 21-11 in a lopsided contest.Priyansh Rajawat displayed commendable resilience in the men's singles, putting up a valiant fight against reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. Despite losing 10-21, 17-21, Rajawat showcased his potential by pushing his formidable opponent to the limit in the second game.

Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen made a strong start to the Indonesia Open Super 1000 tournament, securing a straight-game victory over Japan's Kanta Tsuneyama in the men's singles first round. Sen dominated the match, taking just 40 minutes to dispatch Tsuneyama 21-12, 21-17.Sen's victory sets up a second-round clash with either seventh seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia or Japan's Kenta Nishimoto. The Indian shuttler has been in impressive form recently, reaching the semifinals of both the French Open and All England Championships, which earned him a spot in the Olympic qualification.However, it was a disappointing day for Kiran George in the men's singles event. Despite putting up a valiant fight, George fell to Hong Yang Weng of China in a thrilling three-game battle, losing 21-11, 10-21, 20-22.In the mixed doubles, the Indian pair of B Sumeeth Reddy and Sikki Reddy overcame a tough challenge from the American duo of Vinson Chiu and Jennie Gai, winning 18-21, 21-16, 21-17. They will now face a formidable task in the next round, taking on either top seeds Si Wei Zheng and Ya Qiong Huang of China or the Indonesian combination of Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto and Lisa Ayu Kusumawati.Later in the day, the Indian women's doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will face Yu-Pei Cheng and Yu Hsing Sun of Chinese Taipei, while former world no.1 HS Prannoy will take on Priyanshu Rajawat in an all-Indian men's singles opening round contest.

PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, and Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand emerged victorious in the opening round of the Singapore Open Super 750 Badminton Tournament on Wednesday. However, Lakshya Sen faced a disappointing defeat against world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen.Sindhu, a former Singapore Open champion, defeated world No. 21 Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt of Denmark 21-12, 22-20 in a 44-minute encounter. She will now face Rio Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain, who holds an 11-5 record against the Indian.Prannoy overcame a spirited challenge from Julien Carraggi of Belgium 21-9, 18-21, 21-9 to set up a meeting with Japan's Kenta Nishimoto. Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Jolly and Gopichand notched up a 21-7, 21-14 win over Cheng Yu-Pei and Sun Yu Hsing of Chinese Taipei in women's doubles.However, Lakshya Sen, who will make his Olympic debut in Paris, fought hard but lost 13-21, 21-16, 13-21 to Axelsen in a 62-minute battle. Kidambi Srikanth's opening round match ended in agony as he retired due to a knee injury after lagging 14-21, 3-11 against Japan's fifth seed Kodai Naraoka.In other results, Olympic-bound women's combination Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa lost 21-18, 19-21, 19-21 to Ukraine's Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr. Men's pair Krishna Prasad Garage and Sai Pratheek K suffered a 16-21, 22-24 loss to second seeded Chinese Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. B Sumeeth Reddy and N Sikki Reddy lost 18-21, 19-21 to Malaysia's Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie in mixed doubles, while Venkat Gaurav Prasad and Juhi Dewangan lost 8-21, 8-21 against Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has extended financial support to Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen and other elite athletes in their preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.Lakshya Sen, who will represent India in the men's singles event in Paris, will undergo a 12-day training stint in Marseille, France, from July 8 to 21. The training session will be held at The Halle des Sports Parsemain, where Sen will work with his coach and support staff.MOC has also approved double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu's proposal to train in Saarbrucken, Germany, for over a month. Sindhu will train at the Hermann-Neuberger Sportschule with her coach and support staff before heading to Paris.Under the Ministry's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), MOC has sanctioned funding for the athletes' airfare, boarding/lodging costs, local transportation charges, Visa Fees, and shuttlecock expenses.In addition to Sen and Sindhu, MOC has approved support for other athletes, including table tennis player Sreeja Akula, archer Tisha Punia, golfer Aditi Ashok, and swimmer Aryan Nehra. TOPS will fund their airfare, accommodation, local transportation, equipment (for Akula and Nehra), and caddy fee (for Ashok).MOC has also expanded its TOPS Core group by including table tennis player Harmeet Desai and the Women's 4x400 Relay Team. Wrestlers Nisha (68kg) and Reetika (76kg) have been promoted to the Core group.Furthermore, promising golfer Kartik Singh has been inducted into TOPS Development, with a focus on the 2028 and 2032 Olympics in Los Angeles and Brisbane, respectively.These initiatives demonstrate the government's commitment to supporting elite athletes in their pursuit of Olympic glory. The financial assistance and training opportunities provided by MOC will enable these athletes to optimize their preparations and strive for success at the highest level.

Lakshya Sen's career took a downturn in the latter half of 2022, with a string of early exits and a split from coach Anup Sridhar. His Olympic qualification chances seemed bleak as he slipped in the rankings. However, the 22-year-old has staged a remarkable turnaround, reaching the semi-finals of both the French Open and All England Open this month.Sen attributes his resurgence to changes in training, including increased court time and focus on specific strokes and variations. He also credits the guidance of coaches Prakash Padukone and U Vimal Kumar, who have instilled confidence and discipline in him.Despite the lean patch, Sen remained determined and trusted the process. He worked tirelessly to improve his fitness and technical skills, and the results are now evident. He acknowledges that he is still not at his peak but believes he is close to playing at his best.The presence of Padukone and Kumar as coaches has been a significant factor in Sen's recent success. Their experience and positive reinforcement have boosted his confidence and helped him navigate tough matches. They have also ensured that he remains disciplined and focused off the court.Looking ahead, Sen is confident about India's chances of defending the Thomas Cup title. He believes the team has the strength to beat any opponent and is determined to give their best.