Lakshya Sen Falls Short of Bronze as India’s Olympic Badminton Medal Streak Ends in Paris
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/6th August 2024
In a dramatic turn of events at the Paris Olympics, Lakshya Sen narrowly missed out on securing a bronze medal in men’s singles badminton, concluding a historic 12-year streak of Olympic success for Indian shuttlers. On August 5, Sen faced Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in a riveting bronze medal match but ultimately fell short, losing in three grueling games with scores of 21-13, 16-21, 11-21. The match spanned 71 minutes and marked a heart-wrenching end to what could have been a significant moment for Indian badminton.
Sen, at just 22 years old, began the match with remarkable vigor and aggression, quickly taking the first game 21-13 against the former All-England champion, Lee Zii Jia. His aggressive play and strategic prowess seemed to promise a potential medal for India. However, Lee Zii Jia adjusted his strategy in the subsequent games, effectively neutralizing Sen’s attacks and gradually regaining control. The Malaysian shuttler’s improved performance in the second and third games led him to secure victory and deny Sen a podium finish.
Lakshya Sen’s journey to the bronze medal match was itself a remarkable feat. The young shuttler made history by becoming the first Indian man to reach the semi-finals in badminton singles at the Olympics. His impressive run included a notable victory over the higher-ranked Chou Tien Chen. Despite this, Sen’s campaign faced a setback when he was defeated by the reigning Tokyo Olympic champion, Viktor Axelsen, in the semi-finals. Following this, his loss to Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match underscored the intense competition and the narrow margins that defined this Olympic badminton event.
This defeat also marks a significant moment in Indian badminton history. Since 2008, India had consistently secured medals in badminton at the Olympics. Saina Nehwal’s bronze in London 2012, PV Sindhu’s silver in Rio 2016, and her subsequent bronze in Tokyo 2021 had established a strong legacy for Indian badminton on the global stage. However, with Sen’s defeat, India will return from the Paris Olympics without a badminton medal, breaking a remarkable streak that had showcased the country’s strength in the sport.
The emotional impact of this loss is palpable, not only for Sen but for the entire Indian badminton community and fans who had high hopes for the young athlete. The Paris Olympics have been a challenging campaign for Indian sports, with several near-misses and fourth-place finishes, making Sen’s close call all the more poignant.
As Lakshya Sen reflects on his performance and the missed opportunity, there is hope that his future endeavors will bring more success. His journey and performance have highlighted his potential and resilience, promising a bright future in the sport. Indian badminton enthusiasts will undoubtedly look forward to his continued growth and future competitions, with hopes that the legacy of excellence in the sport will be carried forward.
