Lakshya Sen, the 23-year-old Indian badminton star, etched his name in history at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He became the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semifinals in the men's singles event. Facing the defending Olympic Champion Viktor Axelsen from Denmark, who is ranked number 2 in the world, Sen fought with courage but was ultimately outmatched.
The match, held at La Chapelle Arena, witnessed Sen, ranked 22nd in the world, lose to Axelsen in straight sets (22-20, 21-14). This intense battle lasted for 54 minutes, showcasing the high level of competition at the Olympic stage.The match began with Sen committing three unforced errors, giving Axelsen an early 3-0 lead. Sen fought back, leveling the score at 5-5 and showcasing his impressive defensive skills and attacking prowess until the break, leading 11-9. Sen held a 6-point advantage at 17-11 due to Axelsen’s unforced errors, but Axelsen staged a remarkable comeback, winning four consecutive points and miraculously saving three game points at 20-17 to tie the score at 20-20.Axelsen ultimately claimed the first game 22-20.
Sen started the second game with a comfortable 7-point lead, but Axelsen fought back to level the score at 10-10. Sen regained the lead, winning the 11th point, and went into the break with a narrow advantage. However, Axelsen turned the tables, taking the lead at 13-12 and continued to maintain his momentum to secure the victory in the semifinals.
Despite the semifinal loss, Sen still had a chance to win a bronze medal at the Olympics. He faced Lee Zii Jia, the world number 7 from Malaysia, in a highly competitive and intense 71- minute match that went to three sets (13-21, 21-16, 21-11) ultimately resulting in Sen’s loss. Sen dominated the first game, leading 11-5 at the break and extending his advantage to 17-12. He then won four consecutive points, securing a comfortable 21-13 victory.
The remaining games were fiercely contested, with Lee Zii Jia dominating much of the play. The Malaysian's aggressive style and superior play proved too much for Sen, who could not bounce back and close the gap in the score. Sen struggled to match his opponent's intensity and aggression, hampered by a bleeding right forearm that required repeated taping. Sen's loss in the bronze medal match denied him the opportunity to become the first Indian male shuttler to win an Olympic medal, a historic milestone.
Despite the disappointment of losing the bronze medal match, Sen's performance at the Olympics, his debut appearance, was very impressive. At just 22 years old, he topped his singles group by defeating reigning All England Champion and world number 4 Jonatan Christie, and also defeated fellow Indian HS Prannoy. He is also the reigning Commonwealth Champion. One of Sen's most significant accomplishments was becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semifinals at the Summer Olympics. Sen's historic achievement demonstrated India's advancement and dominance in badminton.
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