Lakshya Sen became the first male shuttler from India to qualify for the semi-finals of an Olympics on Friday, August 2. Lakshya defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-chen 19-21, 21-15, 21-12 in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics to script history.
Sen had previously beaten fellow Indian HS Prannoy 21-12, 21-6 in the pre-quarterfinals on Thursday. The 22-year-old, who won a bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships, demonstrated remarkable pace and precision, maintaining his composure during crucial moments to secure his win against world number 11 Chou Tien Chen, a 2022 World Championships bronze medallist.
The previous best for India in the men’s singles badminton tournament at the Olympics was Parupalli Kashyap (London 2012) and Kidambi Srikanth (Rio 2016), both bowing out in the quarter-finals. Sen was India's star shuttler after the exits of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in men’s doubles, and PV Sindhu in women’s singles. His next challenge will be against the winner of the match between top seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and Singapore's Loh Kean Yew in the men’s semi-finals on Sunday (4 August).
A Thrilling Quarterfinal
The match between Sen and Chou Tien-chen was a neck-to-neck affair in the first game. Chou had taken an early 5-3 lead, and Sen followed that up with a spirited effort to make it 6-6 at one stage. Chou, however, was even more aggressive with his range of shots which led him to take a 11-9 lead in the first game.
Sen, however, fought back once again to level the scores at 15-15, and even though the Indian led at 17-15 and later 18-17, he surrendered that lead before losing the first game 21-19.
In the second game, Sen was off to a strong start, going on to take 4-1 lead. However, Chou fought back immediately to take a narrow lead of 5-4. Chou was even better in terms of court coverage, and played in a way as if he was almost forcing Sen to play a few bad shots.
However, both the shuttlers continued unleashing fiery smashes against each other, and the duo eventually went into the halfway mark of the second game with Sen leading 11-10.
Sen gradually gained momentum in the contest, allowing him to take an 18-13 lead in the second game. From then on, it was Sen all the way in the second game, eventually going on to seal it 21-15. The three-game contest as 1-1 and it set up brilliantly for an exciting decider.
Sen led the third game at 5-4, and by this time, the Indian knew how to tackle Chen. He punished Chen with a series of smashes to take a 11-7 lead at the mid-game break, before eventually keeping his lead and winning the game 21-12 to reach the last four stage of the Olympics.
Lakshya Sen's Historic Achievement
Lakshya Sen's victory is a significant milestone for Indian badminton. He has not only secured his place in the semi-finals of the Olympics but has also become the first Indian male shuttler to reach this stage in Olympic history. His performance is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and unwavering spirit.
India has a rich history in badminton, with players like Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, and Kidambi Srikanth achieving great success on the international stage. However, no Indian male shuttler has ever managed to reach the semi-finals of the Olympics before Lakshya Sen. His victory is a sign of the growing strength of Indian badminton, and it is a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.
Lakshya Sen's journey to the semi-finals has been nothing short of remarkable. He has faced tough competition along the way, but he has overcome every challenge with grace and determination. His victory is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Indian badminton team.
India's Medal Hopes Rest On Lakshya Sen
With India's other badminton players, PV Sindhu and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, out of the tournament, Lakshya Sen now carries the hopes of the nation on his shoulders. His next opponent will be either Viktor Axelsen or Loh Kean Yew, both formidable opponents. But Lakshya Sen has shown that he can rise to any occasion, and he will be looking to make history by winning a medal at the Paris Olympics. His journey to the semi-finals has been a testament to his talent and determination. This is a moment of pride for India, and the entire nation will be cheering for him as he takes on his next challenge.
The Road Ahead
Lakshya Sen’s achievement is a significant milestone for Indian badminton and a testament to his talent and dedication. His performance in the semi-finals will be crucial for India's medal hopes. The entire nation will be watching with bated breath as he strives to bring home a medal. The road ahead will be challenging, but Lakshya Sen has proven that he has the skills and the determination to overcome any obstacle. With the support of the nation behind him, he has a chance to write his name in the annals of Indian badminton history.
