Lakshya Sen’s Unforgettable Journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Lakshya Sen’s campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics unfolded as a tumultuous journey. It was marked by brilliance, heartbreak, and unwavering resilience. The young Indian shuttler, bearing the aspirations of a billion, exhibited remarkable talent yet ultimately did not secure an Olympic medal. But we can’t deny the fact that he did demonstrate exceptional form from the outset. He embarked on his Olympic journey, showcasing remarkable victories that highlighted his extraordinary skill and mental resilience.

Originating from Almora, Uttarakhand, Sen has transformed from a promising junior into a formidable global contender. And the Paris 2024 Olympics provided him with the most illustrious platform to exhibit his exceptional prowess.

Sen’s Promising Start Against All Odds

On Friday, Lakshya Sen of India etched his name in history by reaching the men’s singles semifinals of the Paris 2024 badminton competition. He defeated the 12th-seeded Chou Tien-Chen of Chinese Taipei in a fiercely contested three-game match that concluded with scores of 19-21, 21-15, and 21-12. This made him the first Indian shuttler to advance to the badminton men’s singles semifinals at the Summer Games.

However, the world No. 11 badminton player, Chou Tien-Chen, nullified the Indian opponent’s early attack to grab a 5-2 lead. The Chinese Taipei shuttler won 15-11, but the 22nd-ranked Lakshya showed some moments of brilliance. Chou Tien-Chen, 31, secured victory with a score of 21-19, overcoming Lakshya’s strong comeback with six consecutive points.

In the second game, the 22-year-old Indian matched his opponent’s every move, maintaining a slender 11-point lead at halftime. Thereafter, he implemented a decisive strategy to establish an 18-13 lead, advancing the match to a final round.

Lakshya ascended to a 9-4 lead in the final game, while Chou Tien-Chen faltered under fatigue, yielding a succession of unforced errors in the final moments. This helped Lakshya secure eight match points before clinching the victory.

The Semifinal Showdown: A Near Miss

Sen had gone down to defend Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, the reigning Olympic champion, in the men’s singles semifinal of the Paris 2024 badminton competition. Regrettably, Axelsen, the world No. 2, dashed his aspirations for gold in a 54-minute contest at the La Chapelle Arena.

Lakshya Sen vs. Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia: Highlights

Lakshya Sen narrowly failed to become the first Indian man to clinch an Olympic medal in men’s singles badminton. He started the match with a decisive victory in the opening game, but ultimately lost to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, who prevailed with scores of 21-13, 16-21, and 11-21.

Lakshya Sen won in the initial game with a score of 21–13. However, after gaining an 8-3 advantage in the second game, he ultimately fell to a 21-16 defeat. In both the second and third games, Lakshya was compelled to request a medical timeout. A complication with his right arm severely hindered his performance, culminating in Lakshya’s defeat in the third game 21-11 and obstructing his ambition to become the first Indian male shuttler to secure an Olympic medal. All he was left with was a final scoreline of 21-13, 16-21, and 11-21.

The Bottom Line

Lakshya Sen captured millions of hearts during the Olympics, making it a thrilling time for him. In fact, Viktor Axelsen, the world number two in men’s singles, made a statement about his playing, stating, ” Lakshya Sen played better than me, should win gold at LA Olympics 2028.” So, it won’t be wrong to say that Lakshya Sen’s journey at the Paris Olympics was nothing short of extraordinary. However, Sen’s loss meant that India would not return from the Olympics with a badminton medal for the first time in twelve years.