Badminton

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.

Lakshya Sen has etched his name in Indian sporting history by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the men's singles semi-finals at the Olympics. In a thrilling quarterfinal encounter that lasted 70 minutes, Sen overcame the challenge of China's Chou Chen in a hard-fought three-game battle.The opening game was a closely contested affair, with both players trading blows. However, Chen managed to snatch the game 21-19. Undeterred, Sen regrouped and dominated the second game, winning it 21-15.In the decisive third game, Sen showcased his exceptional skills and tactical prowess. He controlled the pace of the game, forcing Chen into errors and dictating the rallies. With a commanding 21-12 victory, Sen sealed his place in the semi-finals.Sen's historic achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian badminton. He joins the illustrious company of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, who have previously reached the Olympic semi-finals in women's singles. Sindhu is the only Indian shuttler to have played in an Olympic final, winning a silver medal in 2016.In the semi-finals, Sen will face the winner of the match between top seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and Singapore's Loh Kean Yew. Axelsen is the reigning world champion and a strong contender for the gold medal, while Yew is a rising star who has impressed with his performances in recent tournaments.Sen's journey to the semi-finals has been marked by resilience and determination. He has overcome tough opponents and challenging conditions to reach this historic milestone. His success is a testament to his hard work, talent, and the unwavering support of his coaches and team.As the Indian contingent continues its quest for medals at the Tokyo Olympics, Lakshya Sen's achievement has ignited a wave of excitement and pride across the nation. His historic run has inspired countless young athletes and badminton enthusiasts, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

Lakshya Sen's stunning no-look backhand at the 2024 Paris Olympics has sent shockwaves through the badminton world and captured the hearts of Indian fans. In a do-or-die group stage match against Indonesian star Jonatan Christie, Sen pulled off an extraordinary shot that left spectators in disbelief.The Indian shuttler's audacious backhand, executed with precision and flair, caught Christie off guard and sent the shuttlecock soaring over the net. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, while Indian fans took to social media to express their awe and excitement.Business tycoon Anand Mahindra was among those who couldn't resist sharing his admiration for Sen's incredible skill. In his signature witty style, Mahindra joked that he would "cry foul" and "file a suit" if he ever faced Sen as an opponent."If I were his opponent, I would cry foul and file a suit claiming that I was confronted by an unnatural opponent who possessed three arms," Mahindra wrote on Twitter, sharing a video of Sen's backhand.The post has garnered over two million views and countless comments, with users expressing their amazement and admiration for Sen's talent."I was fortunate enough to watch this live. This is new India. Unconventional, aggressive, energetic, and resourceful," wrote one user."Yes! This is the backhand which could have shocked even the greatest of greats! Amazing Innovation in skills!" added another.Sen's victory over Christie, the world number 4, was a testament to his growing stature in the sport. The Indian shuttler has been making waves on the international circuit, and his performance at the Olympics is a clear indication of his potential.In 2016, Sen became the youngest player to reach the Indian national men's singles final at the age of 15. He has since gone on to win several international titles, including the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal.Sen's success is a source of pride for India and a testament to the country's growing prowess in badminton. With his exceptional talent and unwavering determination, Sen is poised to become one of the greatest badminton players of all time.

PV Sindhu's Olympic journey came to an end in the pre-quarterfinals, as she succumbed to China's He Bing Jiao in a hard-fought match. Despite her meticulous preparations, Sindhu admitted that her defense proved to be her Achilles' heel.Sindhu's training regimen included a camp in Germany and collaboration with her mentor, Prakash Padukone. However, she acknowledged that the outcome was ultimately beyond her control. "We've done whatever we could. Rest is destiny. I don't regret it," she said.Throughout the match, Sindhu displayed moments of brilliance, dictating points with her powerful smashes. However, Bing Jiao's superior defense and relentless attack proved too much to overcome. "I should have controlled in terms of a little bit of mistakes on my defense," Sindhu reflected.The first game was a nail-biter, with both players locked at 19-19. Sindhu lamented her inability to convert that crucial point, believing it could have altered the course of the match. "It's sad that I couldn't convert it to win, especially in the first game," she said.In the second game, Sindhu attempted to unsettle Bing Jiao with smashes, but her opponent's defense remained impenetrable. "Her defense was really good today. She was taking everything," Sindhu said.Despite the disappointment, Sindhu remained philosophical about her performance. "It's been a wonderful journey so far. There were ups and downs, and I came back from an injury," she said. "You can't expect easy wins or picking the form at the right time. Sometimes it might not be your day."When asked about her plans for the next Olympics, Sindhu remained non-committal. "It's still four years away. So for me, right now, I just go back and rest for a bit, maybe just take some break and then come back and let's see what it is," she said.

In a poignant moment at the Paris Olympics, Thai badminton star Ratchanok Intanon defeated her long-time rival Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in their final Olympic match. The victory was bittersweet for Intanon, who knew it would be Tai Tzu's last match before retirement.Intanon, who had lost to Tai Tzu in the Tokyo Olympics quarterfinals, expressed her emotions after the match. "I must do it (win) this time because I don't know about the next four years, whether I can play the next Olympics," she said. "We will miss each other. We have the same style, when we play it's like facing the mirror."Tai Tzu, known as "Queen Tai" by her fans, had announced that Paris would be her final season. Despite returning from a knee injury, expectations were high for the 30-year-old, who had come close to winning gold in Tokyo. However, she left the arena in tears after her defeat."I wasn't ready for this event before I came here," said Tai Tzu. "I know I'm not in the best condition, but I tried my best."Despite her immense talent and skill, Tai Tzu has never won a major gold medal. She has been ranked world No.1 for a record 214 weeks, won the BWF World Tour Finals four times, and the All England Open and Asian Championships three times each. However, the Olympics and World Championships have eluded her.Tai Tzu's case is reminiscent of Malaysian great Lee Chong Wei, who also lost three Olympic and World Championships finals. Both players have been considered among the all-time greats despite not winning a major title.Tai Tzu's retirement will leave a void in the badminton world. Her quick feet, fluid movement, and deceptive wristwork made her one of the most formidable and entertaining players of her generation. Her fans will surely miss her artistry and guile on the court.

PV Sindhu, India's badminton queen, is poised to make history once again as she enters the Round of 16 in the women's singles event at the Paris Olympics 2024. Her opponent, China's He Bingjiao, is a formidable foe, but Sindhu has a proven track record of success against her.In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Sindhu defeated He Bingjiao in the bronze medal match, securing her second Olympic medal. This time around, Sindhu is ranked 13th in the world, while He Bingjiao is ranked ninth. However, Sindhu's recent form has been impressive, as she won both of her group games to progress to the knockout stage.The match between Sindhu and He Bingjiao is expected to be a close and intense battle. Sindhu's powerful smashes and quick reflexes will be put to the test against He Bingjiao's agility and tactical play. The winner of this match will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the match between Japan's Akane Yamaguchi and Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon.Sindhu's journey to the Olympics has been marked by hard work, dedication, and unwavering determination. She has overcome numerous challenges and setbacks to become one of the most successful badminton players in the world. Her performance in the Round of 16 will be a testament to her resilience and her unwavering pursuit of excellence.The match between PV Sindhu and He Bingjiao will take place on Thursday, August 1 (IST) at 10:00 PM IST. It will be telecast live on the Sports18 network and live streamed on the JioCinema app.

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty's Olympic dream was shattered in the men's doubles quarterfinals at the Paris Games on Thursday. The duo, who were among the favorites for the gold medal, fell to Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia in a thrilling three-set encounter.Satwik and Chirag, the reigning Asian Games champions and Commonwealth Games winners, started the match strongly, taking the first game 21-13. However, the Malaysian pair, who are the 2022 world champions and Tokyo Games bronze medalists, fought back to win the second game 21-14.The third game was a closely contested affair, with both pairs trading blows. However, Aaron and Chia eventually prevailed 21-16, ending Satwik and Chirag's hopes of an Olympic medal.The Indian duo had been in impressive form leading up to the Olympics, winning the Asian Games title in 2022 and the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2023. They were also ranked among the top three pairs in the world.Despite their disappointing exit, Satwik and Chirag have established themselves as one of the most promising badminton pairs in the world. They will be hoping to bounce back from this setback and continue their quest for Olympic glory in the future.