Badminton

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.

At the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympics, Chinese badminton star He Bing Jiao etched her name in the annals of sportsmanship with a heartwarming gesture towards her injured rival, Carolina Marin. After securing the silver medal in the women's singles competition, Bing Jiao held aloft a pin representing Spain, Marin's home country, during the medal ceremony. This act of solidarity and respect resonated deeply with the sporting world.Marin, a former Olympic champion, was forced to withdraw from her semifinal match against Bing Jiao due to a devastating knee injury. The incident occurred during the second game when Marin landed awkwardly on her surgically repaired knee. Despite her injury, Marin returned to the court and played two more points before retiring, ending her hopes of a second Olympic gold.Bing Jiao's tribute to Marin was widely lauded as a testament to the true spirit of sportsmanship. In the final, Bing Jiao faced South Korea's An Se Young, ultimately losing in straight sets to take the silver medal.PV Sindhu, who has also faced major injuries in the past, expressed her support for Marin via a heartfelt social media post. "To one of my greatest rivals and dearest friends on the tour, I am sending all the positive energy in the world your way," Sindhu wrote. "Your willpower, sheer determination, and uncanny ability to put players under pressure are unmatched."Bing Jiao and Sindhu's actions are a testament to the camaraderie and mutual respect that exists among top athletes, despite the intense competition on the court. Their gestures serve as a reminder that sportsmanship and empathy transcend the boundaries of victory and defeat.

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.