Lakshya Sen will face a tough challenge against Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, the reigning Olympic champion.
Lakshya Sen has made a significant mark in Indian badminton by reaching the semifinals of the men’s singles at the Paris Olympics. His hard-earned victory over Chou Tien Chen from Chinese Taipei marks him as the first Indian male shuttler to advance to this stage in Olympic history.
At 22, Sen demonstrated remarkable determination during his quarterfinal match. After dropping the first game 19-21, he bounced back impressively, winning the next two games 21-15 and 21-12, securing his place in the semifinals.
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Sen now faces a tough challenge against Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, the reigning Olympic champion, on August 4. Axelsen has shown exceptional form throughout the tournament with a series of dominant performances.
Axelsen began his campaign with a commanding 21-8, 21-6 win over Nepal’s Prince Dahal, followed by a 21-9, 21-11 victory against Israel’s Misha Zilberman. He continued his winning streak with a 21-13, 21-10 win over Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in the round of 16, and a decisive 21-9, 21-17 victory against Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the quarterfinals.
In contrast to Axelsen’s smooth progression, Lakshya’s path has been defined by perseverance and tenacity. His comeback against Chou Tien Chen highlighted his skill and composure under pressure.
As they prepare for their semifinal showdown, Axelsen holds a strong head-to-head advantage, having won seven of their eight encounters. Sen’s only victory over the Danish player was at the German Open on March 12, 2022.
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In other news from the Paris Olympics, India’s shooting star Manu Bhaker narrowly missed out on a third medal. Competing in the women’s 25-meter pistol final, the 22-year-old finished fourth, just missing the bronze medal. Despite being among the top contenders in a highly competitive final, Hungary’s Veronika Major secured the bronze in a shoot-off.