Paris: Indian badminton sensation Lakshya Sen suffered a heart-wrenching defeat in the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024, losing to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia. Sen, who had shown remarkable form throughout the tournament, was defeated 21-13, 16-21, 11-21 in a gripping encounter.
The match began with Sen in top form, securing the first game 21-13. His aggressive play and sharp smashes left Lee struggling to keep up. However, the tide turned in the second game. Despite leading 8-3, Sen could not maintain his momentum, and Lee rallied to take the game 21-16, forcing a decisive third game.
The third game saw Sen struggling physically, requiring medical time-outs for a right arm issue. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t overcome the challenge posed by Lee, who won the final game 21-11, clinching the bronze medal.
This defeat came just 24 hours after Sen’s semi-final loss to the defending Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen. In that match, Sen had a strong start, leading 20-17 in the first game, but Axelsen’s experience and resilience saw him claw back to win 22-20. The second game saw Sen once again take an early lead, but Axelsen turned the tables to win in straight games.
Axelsen later acknowledged Sen’s strong performance, admitting that the young Indian had dominated numerous phases of their semi-final clash before he managed a comeback.
Despite the losses, Lakshya Sen’s journey at the Paris Olympics is historic. He is the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semi-finals at the Olympics, joining the ranks of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, who have both medaled in previous Games.
The Indian contingent at Paris 2024 has experienced similar near-misses. Just before Sen’s match, the shooting duo of Maheshwari Chauhan and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka finished fourth in the Skeet Mixed Team event.
India’s medal tally at the Paris Olympics stands at three bronze medals, all from shooting. Sen’s valiant efforts and near-miss for a podium finish highlight both the promise and the heartbreak that often accompany the Olympic journey.
Lakshya Sen’s performance at the Paris Olympics will be remembered as a significant milestone for Indian badminton, showcasing his potential and setting the stage for future triumphs on the global stage.
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