Paris: Shuttler Lakshya Sen scripted history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first Indian male badminton player to reach the semifinals in the men’s singles event.
In a thrilling quarterfinal at the La Chapelle Arena, Sen bounced back after initial jitters to overcome Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei with a 19-21, 21-15, 21-12 scoreline.
The match lasted a grueling 75-minutes, and was marked by intense rallies and tactical exchanges. The world No. 22 started the match with a close first game loss, but quickly adjusted his strategy to dominate the following games. Sen's resilience and skill shone through as he took control after the mid-game interval in the second game and sealed the third game by a convincing nine-point margin.
Chou Tien Chen, the 12th seed, presented a formidable challenge, particularly in the initial stages of the match. However, Sen’s ability to adapt and outmaneuver his opponent was crucial to his success.
Sen’s victory highlights his impressive rise in the sport. With two Youth Olympics medals already to his name,
Sen now sets his sights on the semifinals, where he will face either 10th-seeded Loh Kean Yew or Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, the reigning Olympic champion.
The semifinals are scheduled for Sunday, August 4, and expectations are high for Sen as he continues to make waves on the global stage.