Lakshya Sen Creates History, First Indian in Olympic Men’s Singles Semi-Final
Lakshya Sen has scored an absolute triumph for Indian badminton at the age of 22 by entering the semifinals of the Olympic men’s singles event. His scintillating victory at the Paris Games has just carved out a niche in the history books but has also given hopes for the first medal to be won by India.
Lakshya Sen’s encounter against Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan in the quarterfinals was a real classic. Seeded 12, Chou was an aggressive player throughout the tournament. Still, Lakshya, with nerves of steel and display of exceptional skill, fought back after losing the first game to win 19-21, 21-15, 21-12 in a contest that lasted over an hour and 15 minutes.
The badminton arena in Paris erupted into cheers. Class acts of long rallies, precise shot-making, and quick reflexes were on full display from both players. The linchpin of his victory was in keeping his head cool and probing mid-game changes in his strategy.
A Neck-to-Neck Battle
The game began with both players testing each other’s defenses, and the crowd was on the edge of their seats as they engaged in long rallies. The first game was tight, never far apart on the score line until Chou managed to pull clear at 11-10. Chou dominated the rallies with powerful smashes and quick net plays that put Lakshya under pressure, forging a 14-9 lead in the first game.
Not one to throw in the towel after being down, Lakshya started to execute a strategy to increase the pace of the game and concentrated on precise placements that helped him bridge the gap and take an 18-16 lead. However, Chou’s experience and coolness under pressure saw him through to win the first game 21-19, leaving Lakshya with quite a mountain to climb.
A Gritty Comeback
The second game had Lakshya Sen under some pressure, especially after that controversial moment wherein he did disagree with the chair umpire over a review. Though it looked like that was going to break his concentration for a bit, it was the guidance and some calm words from coaches Prakash Padukone and Vimal Kumar that helped the young boy get back on track.
Lakshya Sen was at his resilient and composed best as he pulled clear after the mid-game interval in the second set, really taking control with a 21-15 victory in the second to level the score and set up a thrilling decider.
Crushing the Final Game
He entered the third game full of confidence on his side because Lakshya had the momentum. His powerful smashes stood well against smart placements and quick reflexes, which made Chou lag behind. He dominated in the final game, where Lakshya convincingly won 21-12. Thus, when the final point was scored, the arena erupted in jubilation as Indian supporters celebrated this momentous achievement.
One Step Away from an Olympic Medal
This victory has taken Lakshya Sen one step away from confirming his medal in his first-ever Olympic Games. The youngster happens to be the only Indian left in this competition. Other top contenders, including the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty and two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, bowed out of the contest.
Lacshya rising up to the semis speaks for itself, the hard work, dedication he has put in, and the kind of support system he had. His graph has moved only north, almost meteorically since he came into the eyes of the world’s badminton fraternity, though he has been an exception in international circuits all through these past few years.
By the time it comes to the semifinals, the whole country will be glued with bated breath as Lakshya Sen goes on the court for his match. He has already proved to be a national hero with his performance; now everything hangs in balance and in hope for him to go all the way through and bring home an Olympic medal.
No matter what happens in the semi-finals, Lakshya Sen’s performance at the Paris Games has put him well and truly in Indian sporting folklore. He will arguably set a whole new generation of badminton players in motion in India, much like what the greats who came before did.
Lakshya’s historic feat marked a new beginning for Indian badminton. It was a pointer that the new breed of Indian shuttlers is now ready to take on the world and challenge the best in business. With his fearless approach and never-give-up attitude, Lakshya Sen has shown the world that he is the one to watch out for.
But most eyeballs would be on Lakshya Sen as the Games get underway, with the Indian contingent looking towards him to make much more history and probably bring home an Olympic medal. Win or lose, his journey in the Paris Olympics is going to be remembered as a defining moment in Indian badminton.