Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen is poised to compete for a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing his semifinal match.
The 22-year-old faced a straight-game defeat against reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen on Sunday.
Despite this setback, Sen will have another opportunity to secure an Olympic medal when he goes head-to-head with Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal playoff.
Sen’s only victory over the current World No. 2 occurred during the 2022 German Open semi-finals, where he triumphed 21-13, 12-21, 22-20.
Sen’s journey to this point has been historic. He recently became the first Indian male shuttler to reach the Olympic semifinals, a significant milestone for Indian badminton.
He is also the only Indian shuttler remaining in the competition for a medal in Paris, following the exits of notable players such as Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty and PV Sindhu.
India’s quest for an Olympic gold medal in badminton has been elusive, with PV Sindhu having previously won a silver and a bronze at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, respectively, and Saina Nehwal securing a bronze at the London Games.
The current Olympics have been challenging for several Indian athletes. Notably, Tokyo edition bronze-winner Lovlina Borgohain saw her hopes dashed after a hard-fought quarterfinal loss to Li Qian of China.
Similarly, boxer Nishant Dev experienced a heartbreaking end to his maiden Olympic campaign following a split verdict defeat to Mexican athlete Marco Verde Alvarez in the quarterfinals on Saturday night.
Sen’s upcoming match against Lee Zii Jia is highly anticipated, as both players are determined to secure the bronze medal.
This match will not only be a test of skill and endurance but also a significant moment in Sen’s career. Winning a bronze medal would be a remarkable achievement and a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the sport.
As he prepares for this crucial match, the hopes and support of Indian badminton fans rest on his shoulders, eager to see him make history once again.