Lakshya Sen, a 22-year-old badminton player from India, has made history by becoming the first Indian man to reach the semi-final stage at the Olympics. This incredible achievement came after Lakshya defeated the 12th seed, Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan, in a thrilling match at the Paris Games. The Indian crowd in the packed badminton arena in Paris was ecstatic with his sensational comeback victory.
One Win Away from an Olympic Medal
In his first Olympics appearance, Lakshya Sen is now just one win away from securing a medal. Hailing from Almorah, Lakshya is the last remaining Indian shuttler in the competition. Other top Indian badminton players, including the men’s doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, as well as two-time medalist PV Sindhu, were eliminated earlier in the tournament.
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Lakshya Sen makes history as the First Indian shuttler to reach the SEMIS in Men's Singles at the Olympics! ๐ฎ๐ณ#LakshyaSen #Indianbadminton #Olympics #Paris2024 #Olympia2024 #Badminton pic.twitter.com/Y4LkquveQX
— Ritam English (@EnglishRitam) August 2, 2024
Lakshya Sen showcased his determination and skill by overcoming a first-game defeat to eventually win against Chou Tien Chen with scores of 19-21, 21-15, and 21-12. The match lasted an hour and 15 minutes and was filled with intense rallies and high-quality shot-making.
From the start, Lakshya and Chou engaged in long rallies, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. Both players displayed exceptional speed and reflexes, often recovering from difficult shots to continue the rally. The quality of their play was outstanding, with both shuttlers pushing each other to their limits.
A Neck-and-Neck Battle
The opening game was fiercely contested, with Lakshya and Chou trading points back and forth. The score remained close until 7-7, after which Chou took a slight lead, ending the first game 11-10. Chou’s aggressive gameplay, including powerful smashes and quick net play, caught Lakshya off guard, leading to Chou winning the first game 21-9.
In the second game, Lakshya faced additional pressure and a moment of confusion with the chair umpire over a review decision. Despite this, he managed to stay focused, encouraged by his coaches Prakash Padukone and Vimal Kumar. Lakshya turned the game around after the mid-game interval, winning the second game 21-15 in just 17 minutes.
With renewed energy and confidence, Lakshya dominated the third game. His strategic play and excellent placement of shots led him to a decisive 21-12 victory, securing his spot in the semi-finals and bringing joy to Indian badminton fans everywhere.
As Lakshya Sen prepares for his next match, he carries the hopes of a nation eager to see him win a medal. His historic performance in Paris has already made him a hero, and the entire country will be cheering him on in his quest for Olympic glory.
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