India’s hopes for a historic first Olympic gold medal in badminton were dashed as Lakshya Sen faced a challenging defeat against reigning champion Viktor Axelsen in the men’s singles semifinals at the Paris Olympics on August 4.
The 22-year-old Indian, a world championships bronze medallist, was unable to capitalize on significant leads in both games, ultimately losing 20-22, 14-21 to the Danish powerhouse in a 54-minute contest.
Lakshya Sen entered the semifinals with high expectations after his impressive performances in the tournament. Despite being 20-17 ahead in the first game, Sen allowed Axelsen to claw back, losing five consecutive points and conceding the game.
In the second game, Sen surged to a 7-0 lead, only to see Axelsen mount a remarkable comeback. Reflecting on the match, Sen remarked, “If I would have closed the first game, then I would have had a better chance of closing the match. In the second game also, I started well but couldn’t keep the lead.”
Sen’s inability to close out the first game proved to be a turning point. “As the game went on, he started attacking more and I became passive, only defending. I should have taken chances and attacked more,” Sen admitted in his post-match interview. Axelsen’s tactical adjustments and psychological resilience allowed him to dominate the critical phases of the match.
Axelsen, a two-time world champion, demonstrated his experience and throughout the match. His deliberate pacing and delay tactics during serves disrupted Sen’s rhythm. Sen struggled with his shot placement, conceding early points in the first game with shots that went wide and long, giving Axelsen a 2-5 lead. Despite Sen’s efforts to build pressure with his signature cross-court smashes, Axelsen’s precise and powerful play shifted momentum in his favor.
Axelsen’s victory propels him to his second consecutive Olympic final, where he aims to join Chinese legend Lin Dan as a two-time Olympic gold medalist. His ability to stay composed and execute under pressure was a testament to his elite status in the sport.
For Lakshya Sen, this loss is perhaps the most painful of his career, given the opportunity to upset a formidable opponent like Axelsen. Despite the setback, Sen remains optimistic about his prospects in the upcoming bronze medal match against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia.
“I would take my learnings and positives from this game and give my 100 percent in the bronze medal match,” Sen stated, focusing on the chance to become the first Indian male shuttler to win an Olympic medal.
Throughout the match, Sen drew support from his family, who were present in the stands, and from Indian fans. “My parents, brother (Chirag Sen) is there in the stands to support me. My mother is cooking lunch and dinner and sending me. I have got a lot of support from the crowd and hope they will come tomorrow for the bronze medal match also,” Sen shared.
As Sen prepares for the bronze medal playoff, he carries the hopes of a nation yearning for Olympic success in badminton. India has previously secured Olympic medals in the sport through PV Sindhu’s silver and bronze at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, and Saina Nehwal’s bronze at the London Games. A victory in the bronze medal match would not only add to India’s Olympic medal tally but also serve as a significant milestone in Sen’s burgeoning career.
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