Badminton

Indian badminton star Chirag Shetty, one-half of the renowned men's doubles duo 'Sat-Chi' with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, has opened up about their disappointing quarterfinal exit at the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite a strong start in the knockout stage, Satwik and Chirag's Olympic medal hopes were dashed with a 21-13, 14-21, 16-21 loss.Speaking to ANI, Shetty expressed his disappointment over the quarterfinal exit, attributing it to "unlucky points and missed opportunities" in the third game. However, he remains optimistic about the duo's future prospects, stating, "We really wanted to go out there and win a medal for our country. Things did not go our way in the third game, but we gave it our all. Maybe next time around we will come with a medal."Shetty also revealed that he and Satwiksairaj are eager to return to action next month, with the latter currently undergoing rehabilitation for an injury. He praised their former coach, Mathias Boe, for his significant contributions to their success, saying, "When we started working with him, we were ranked eighth or ninth in the world. The journey from there to the number one spot, winning Asian Games gold, Thomas Cup, was a very fruitful journey."Under Boe's guidance, 'Sat-Chi' became a dominant force in badminton, securing multiple BWF titles, gold medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, the maiden Thomas Cup title, bronze at the World Championships, and gold at the Asian Championships. They also became the first Indian men's pair to achieve the top spot in BWF Rankings and secure a BWF Super 1000 title by winning the Indonesia Open last year.Despite the setback at the Olympics, Shetty and Satwiksairaj remain determined to achieve their Olympic dream. They are currently working hard to improve their game and are confident of making a strong comeback.

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'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.

Prakash Padukone's comments on Lakshya Sen's loss at the Paris Olympics 2024 have sparked controversy. Padukone, the former coach and mentor of the badminton team, expressed disappointment and urged players to "step up and win as expected."These remarks drew mixed reactions. Ashwini Ponnappa, a fellow badminton player, responded with a fiery reply. However, Olympic medallist Abhinav Bindra, who was present at the Olympics as part of the Athletes Commission, partially agreed with Padukone.Bindra emphasized collective accountability, stating, "An athlete is very much part of it. So I don't completely disagree with what Mr. Padukone said." He also highlighted the need for responsible spending on athletes and ensuring that funds are utilized effectively.Padukone further stressed the importance of mental training for athletes to handle pressure situations. He suggested implementing a system similar to China's, where they develop multiple players instead of relying on a single star."We cannot remain satisfied just having one player. We need to focus on the next line, maybe even the third line," Padukone said. "There is a lot of talent, but a combined effort is required."He also emphasized the need for players to take responsibility and be accountable for their performance. "Not just ask for whatever you ask for. Once you are given that, you also have to be accountable," he said.Padukone's comments have sparked a debate about the expectations placed on Indian athletes, the need for mental training, and the importance of developing a robust talent pipeline.

The Paris Olympics 2024 has been a bittersweet experience for Indian sports fans. After the high of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where India returned with a record seven medals, the expectation was that at the Paris Olympics, the haul would be bigger. However, following a string of narrow misses and some unlucky incidents (like the Vinesh Phogat disqualification), India won six medals.Badminton was one sport where India has fared well in the last three editions. Starting from the 2012 Olympics, Indian badminton stars have returned with at least one medal. However, this time there were no medals. The star duo of Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty could not enter the semi-finals. Singles player Lakshya Sen became the first Indian male shuttler to enter the Olympic semi-final but lost crucial matches despite being in a strong situation.Amid such displays, badminton legend Prakash Padukone said that It was time for the badminton stars to bring home good results as there was enough support from the government and other stakeholders. The comment was criticised by many. Former Indian cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar, however, has supported Prakash Padukone and critisiced Lakshya Sen's mental block.Gavaskar felt that Lakshya had lost his "thought and concentration". "For those who watched both the semifinal and the bronze medal matches, it did appear that Lakshya had lost his trend of thought and concentration in the way he looked at his racquet as he sipped from his water bottle in between points or at the changeovers," Gavaskar wrote."I could be completely wrong, but on TV, it looked like a blank expression, and that's usually a sign that the mind has wandered. Concentration and focus are things that no coach or trainer can ever teach. It can be developed over the years by the athlete by observing other champions and having an inner resolve, but there's no specific program for it. Yes, mind trainers are around, but they can only do so much and not more. It's got to be within the athlete."

Tanmay Garg and Shantanu Barve, two 23-year-old Indian expats living in Paris, found themselves immersed in the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite their contrasting interests in sports, they shared a common desire to witness the spectacle firsthand.Garg, an investment banker from New Delhi, had little knowledge of badminton but was eager to experience the Olympic atmosphere. Barve, on the other hand, was a passionate badminton enthusiast from Pune, eager to witness the sport's finest athletes in action.Together, they secured tickets to watch India's Lakshya Sen compete in the badminton semifinals. As they waited for Sen's match, Barve patiently explained the intricacies of badminton to Garg, covering everything from scoring to court dimensions.By the time Sen took to the court against Denmark's Viktor Axelsen, Garg had transformed into a badminton expert. He eagerly shared his newfound knowledge with Barve, even interjecting with cricket analogies to illustrate the game's dynamics.Barve was thrilled to witness Sen's remarkable performance, having purchased the tickets months in advance without knowing the lineup. He was equally impressed by Spain's Carolina Marin, despite her unfortunate injury. Garg, too, was captivated by the intensity of the competition and the proximity of an Indian athlete to an Olympic medal.Their Olympic experience extended beyond badminton. They marveled at the architectural grandeur of the Eiffel Tower, soaked in the vibrant atmosphere of the Champs-Élysées, and sampled the delectable pastries at local patisseries.As they bid farewell to the Olympics, Garg and Barve reflected on their unforgettable journey. They had not only witnessed sporting excellence but had also forged a deeper bond through their shared experience.

The Paris Olympics 2024 have been a rollercoaster of emotions for India, with both triumphs and disappointments. The Indian contingent has secured five medals so far, including four bronze and one silver. However, there have been some near misses and controversies that have left a bittersweet taste.One of the most heartbreaking moments came in the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling final, where Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight. This shattered her hopes of a medal and left the Indian contingent in shock.Another disappointment came in badminton, where India's medal hopes were pinned on Lakshya Sen. However, he lost the bronze medal match, leaving India without a medal in the sport. This led to criticism from former badminton player Prakash Padukone, who called on the players to take responsibility for their losses.However, this statement sparked a debate, with some players criticizing Padukone for blaming Lakshya. Olympics Expert Tejaswin Shankar argued that coaches should also take responsibility for their players' performances.Despite these setbacks, India has had some notable successes. Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal in the men's javelin throw, becoming the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in athletics since 1900. The Indian women's hockey team also made history by reaching the semifinals for the first time.The Paris Olympics 2024 have been a testament to the resilience and determination of the Indian athletes. While there have been disappointments, there have also been moments of triumph. The Indian contingent will continue to strive for success in the remaining events, hoping to add to their medal tally and make the nation proud.

Former Olympic champion Carolina Marin's hopes of a second gold medal were shattered in heartbreaking fashion as she suffered a devastating knee injury during her women's singles badminton semifinal at the Paris Olympics 2024.Marin, who was leading the match 21-14, 10-6 against China's He Bing Jiao, was forced to withdraw after falling awkwardly on her right knee. The incident occurred during the second game when she jumped to execute a return shot on her backhand side and landed awkwardly on her right foot.The Spaniard burst into tears immediately after falling and was quickly attended to by medical staff. She returned to the court briefly to continue the match but played only two more points before limping to the side of the court and collapsing in tears.Marin, who won the gold medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics, missed the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to a knee injury. The Paris Games were expected to be her final Olympic appearance.He Bing Jiao, who was visibly shocked by the incident, hugged Marin after she was forced to retire. The Chinese shuttler will now face Korean Republic's An Se Young in the final.Marin's injury is a major blow to the badminton world. She is one of the most decorated players in the sport, having won three World Championships and the Olympic gold medal. Her absence from the final will be a significant loss for the tournament.It remains to be seen if Marin will return for the bronze-medal match. However, her injury is a reminder of the physical toll that elite-level sport can take on athletes.

India's Olympic campaign continued with a mixed bag of results on Day 7 in Paris. Manu Bhaker maintained her medal hopes by qualifying for the women's 25m pistol final, while Lakshya Sen advanced to the men's singles semi-final in badminton.In shooting, Bhaker's consistent performance earned her a spot in the final, where she will aim to add to India's medal tally. However, Esha Singh's Olympic journey ended with an 18th-place finish.Badminton saw India's lone charge, Lakshya Sen, overcome a tough challenge from Chou Tien Chen to reach the semi-finals. Sen's victory keeps India's hopes alive for a medal in the sport.Judo brought disappointment for India as Tulika Maan lost her women's +75kg Round of 32 bout. In archery, the mixed team of Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara had a rollercoaster day. They defeated Indonesia and Spain but fell short against South Korea in the semi-final and USA in the bronze medal match.The men's hockey team bounced back from their previous loss with a 3-2 victory over Australia in their final pool match. This win secures their place in the knockout stage.In rowing, Balraj Panwar finished 23rd out of 33 athletes in the men's singles sculls. Athletics saw Parul Chaudhary and Ankita fail to advance from the women's 5000m Heat 2 and Heat 1, respectively. Tajinderpal Singh Toor also missed out on qualification in the men's shot put.Sailing witnessed mixed results for India. Vishnu Saravanan finished 20th and 19th in the men's dinghy, while Nethra Kumanan placed 11th in the women's dinghy after the first three races.