Badminton

India's badminton contingent at the Paris Olympics failed to secure a medal, despite high expectations and a roster featuring some of the country's top players. Prakash Padukone, a legendary former Indian shuttler and mentor to Lakshya Sen, expressed disappointment and urged the players to take responsibility for their underwhelming performances.Lakshya Sen, who became the first Indian male shuttler to reach an Olympic semi-final, squandered an opportunity to bring home a medal, according to Padukone. The Indian men's doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out in the quarterfinal, while two-time medallist PV Sindhu bowed out in the round of 16 in women's singles.Padukone emphasized that the players have received adequate support from the government and that they should not blame external factors for their failures. "After Milkha Singh in '64 and PT Usha in the '80s, we have so many fourth-place finishes. I think it's high time that the players also take responsibility," he said.Padukone urged the players to introspect and question whether they are working hard enough. He pointed out that they have access to excellent facilities and support staff, which is not the case in many other countries.Regarding Lakshya Sen's defeat, Padukone was particularly critical of the way he squandered his 1-0 lead against Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match. "He could have definitely gotten a medal," Padukone said. "He cannot give this as an excuse. Take the responsibility and work harder."Padukone's comments highlight the need for Indian badminton players to step up and deliver when it matters most. They must take ownership of their performances and strive for excellence, rather than relying solely on external support.

Viktor Axelsen, the reigning Olympic champion from Denmark, successfully defended his title in the men's singles badminton event at the Paris Olympics. In a dominant performance, Axelsen defeated Thailand's world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in straight sets (21-11, 21-11) in just 52 minutes.Axelsen, the second seed, was backed by a boisterous crowd of Danish fans at La Chapelle Arena. He quickly established his dominance, building a commanding lead in the first game. Despite a promising start from Vitidsarn, Axelsen's superior experience and tactical prowess proved too much to overcome.In the second game, Axelsen unleashed his full arsenal of shots, including powerful smashes and precise drop shots. Vitidsarn fought valiantly, but Axelsen's relentless pace and unwavering focus proved insurmountable.With the victory, Axelsen became the first man to retain the Olympic men's singles title since Chinese legend Lin Dan, who won in 2008 and 2012. The 30-year-old Dane celebrated his triumph by grabbing a Danish flag and running around the arena."To be honest, I didn't even know how I would like to celebrate when I won because I was so focused on winning," said Axelsen. "I was so focused on being calm and playing the right shots."Vitidsarn's silver medal marked Thailand's first-ever Olympic medal in badminton. The Thai player made a strong start but was unable to match Axelsen's consistency and power.In the bronze medal match, Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia defeated India's Lakshya Sen in three sets (13-21, 21-16, 21-11).China continued its dominance in badminton, topping the medals table for the seventh straight Olympics. The Chinese team won gold medals in the mixed and women's doubles events. Taiwan won the men's doubles gold, while South Korea's An Se-young claimed the women's singles title.

India's Olympic badminton medal drought extended to 13 years as Lakshya Sen succumbed to a 13-21, 21-16, 21-11 defeat against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia in the men's singles bronze playoff at the Paris Olympics.Sen, ranked 22nd in the world, started brightly, taking the first game with ease. However, Lee, the seventh seed, fought back in the second game, using his superior reflexes and powerful smashes to level the match.In the decider, Lee took control from the outset, leading 7-2. Sen's body language betrayed his lack of confidence, and he made numerous errors. Lee extended his lead and eventually sealed the bronze medal with a body smash.This was Malaysia's second badminton medal of the Games, after Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik claimed bronze in men's doubles. For India, it was a disappointing end to a tournament that had promised so much.Sen's loss marked the first time since 2008 that India had failed to win an Olympic badminton medal. Saina Nehwal had won a bronze in women's singles in London 2012, while PV Sindhu had claimed silver and bronze in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021 respectively.Despite the setback, Sen's performance in Paris was a testament to his growing maturity and potential. The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the most promising young players in the world, and he will be determined to bounce back from this disappointment and challenge for medals in future tournaments.

Day 9 of the Tokyo Olympics witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions for Team India, with triumphs and setbacks across various disciplines.In badminton, Lakshya Sen's Olympic dream of a gold medal was shattered after a heartbreaking defeat to defending champion Viktor Axelsen. Despite a valiant effort, Sen succumbed to a 20-22, 14-21 loss, leaving him to compete for the bronze medal."I think I became passive when I was defending," Sen said after the match. "I should have taken chances and attacked."Meanwhile, in athletics, Parul Chaudhary's Olympic journey came to an end after finishing eighth in the women's 3000m steeplechase round 1.The Indian men's hockey team, however, celebrated a hard-fought victory over Great Britain in their quarter-final fixture. The match went into a penalty shootout, where India emerged victorious.In shooting, Vijayveer Sidhu and Anish Bhanwala failed to qualify for the final of the 25m men's rapid fire pistol.Disappointment struck the boxing arena as Lovlina Borgohain lost her women's 75kg quarter-final bout, ending India's boxing campaign at the Olympics.Despite the setbacks, Team India remains determined to make the most of the remaining days of competition. Lakshya Sen will aim to secure a bronze medal in badminton, while the men's hockey team will look to continue their winning streak in the semi-finals.

India's Medal Hopes Alive as Lakshya Sen Eyes Bronze in Paris OlympicsIndia's medal tally at the Paris Olympics remains in contention as Lakshya Sen prepares to face Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia in the men's singles bronze medal playoff today. The badminton star, who narrowly missed out on a spot in the final, will be determined to secure a podium finish.Wrestling action also kicks off today, with Nisha Dahiya representing India in the women's 68kg Round of 16. India has a strong history in wrestling, having won medals in the last four Olympics.In athletics, distance runner Avinash Sable will begin his campaign in the men's 3,000m steeplechase Round 1. He aims to qualify for the final, where he will face stiff competition from the likes of Armand Duplantis, the favorite in the men's pole vault final.Table tennis offers another chance for Indian glory as the team championships commence. Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamath will face Romania in the Round of 16, hoping to continue their impressive run in the tournament.Finally, Maheshwari Chauhan and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka will represent India in the skeet men's team qualification, the last shooting event of the Olympics. The National Shooting Centre in Chateauroux will also host the 25m rapid fire pistol men's final.

India's Olympic badminton gold medal hopes were shattered on Sunday as Lakshya Sen succumbed to a valiant defeat against reigning champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark. Despite a spirited performance, Sen fell short with scores of 20-22, 14-21. However, the 22-year-old Indian shuttler still has a chance to make history by securing a men's singles medal in the bronze medal match against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia.Sen's match against Axelsen was a testament to his growing prowess and determination. The first game was a nail-biter, with both players showcasing their exceptional skills. Sen initially trailed but adapted his strategy, engaging in long rallies and displaying patience and precision. Despite Axelsen's uncharacteristic errors, the Danish champion displayed his resilience, saving three game points to snatch the victory 22-20.The second game saw Sen start strongly, building a 7-0 lead as Axelsen struggled to find his rhythm. However, the Danish shuttler, known for his mental fortitude, mounted an impressive comeback. With a combination of solid defense, drop shots, and high smashes, Axelsen leveled the score at 10-10. Despite Sen's mid-game advantage, Axelsen eventually wore down the Indian shuttler, securing the game 21-14 and clinching his place in the Olympic final for the second time.Axelsen's victory highlighted his experience and mental toughness, proving why he is a dominant force in the BWF circuit. Sen's Olympic journey is not over yet; he has the opportunity to secure India's first men's singles medal in badminton when he faces Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match on Monday. His match takes place at 6PM IST. Sen has a chance to become the third Indian Olympic medallist in badminton after PV Sindhu (silver in Rio 2016, bronze in Tokyo 2020) and Saina Nehwal (bronze in London 2012).Axelsen, meanwhile, will face Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, who defeated Jia in straight games (21-14, 21-15). Interestingly, Vitidsarn has earlier defeated Axelsen in last year's India Open final, clinching a 22-20, 10-21, 21-12 win in a three-game thriller in New Delhi.

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.

Mathias Boe, the esteemed coach of Indian badminton stars Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, has announced his retirement from coaching following the pair's exit from the Paris Olympics. The decision comes after Satwik and Chirag's heartbreaking loss to Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the men's doubles quarterfinals.Boe, a silver medalist at the London Olympics, joined Chirag and Satwik as their coach ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The Indian duo were considered strong contenders for a medal in Paris, but their hopes were dashed in the quarterfinals.In a heartfelt Instagram post, Boe expressed his disappointment but also his pride in his players' efforts. "For me, my coaching days end here," he wrote. "I'm not going to continue in India or anywhere else, for now at least. I have spent too much time in a badminton hall and it's also pretty stressful to be a coach. I'm a tired old man."Boe acknowledged the pain of defeat, having experienced it himself as an athlete. "I know the feeling all too well myself. Pushing yourself to the limit every day, to be in the best shape of your life, and then things don't go as you would have hoped for," he said. "I know you guys are gutted, I know how much you wanted to bring a medal back to India, but this time it wasn't meant to be."Despite the setback, Boe praised his players' dedication and passion. "You have everything to be proud of, how hard you have worked in this Olympics camp, battling injuries, even taken injections to reduce the pain," he wrote. "That is dedication, that is passion, and that is a lot of heart."Boe's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian badminton. Under his guidance, Chirag and Satwik emerged as one of the top doubles pairs in the world. Their success has inspired a new generation of Indian badminton players and raised the profile of the sport in the country.

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.