Lakshya Sen was born on August 16, 2001, in Almora, Uttarakhand, India, into a family deeply rooted in badminton. His father, Dhirendra Sen, was a national-level coach, and his older brother, Chirag Sen, was also a professional badminton player. With such a strong badminton background, he was introduced to the sport at a young age. Today in this blog, we will delve into his journey from a young boy in Almora to competing at the Olympics and winning Commonwealth gold.
At just nine years old, he participated in an Under-13 tournament in Bangalore, where he impressed coaches at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA). He and his brother were offered admission, marking the beginning of his professional journey.
Lakshya balanced his academics with sports, studying at Beersheba Senior Secondary School in Haldwani. However, his primary focus remained on badminton
Lakshya Sen emerged as a badminton prodigy in the junior circuit, displaying exceptional talent from an early age. His breakthrough came in 2016 when he won a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championships, marking his arrival on the international stage. The following year, in February 2017, he achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the world No. 1 junior singles player in the BWF Junior rankings, a testament to his consistency and dominance in the sport.
His success continued in 2018, a defining year in his junior career. He won gold in the mixed team event and silver in boys' singles at the Summer Youth Olympics, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
In the same year, he secured a bronze medal at the BWF World Junior Championships and clinched another gold at the Asian Junior Championships, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most promising young shuttlers. These impressive performances at the junior level paved the way for his transition into the senior circuit, where he continued to build on his early successes.
As Lakshya Sen transitioned into the senior circuit, he made an immediate impact with his skill, determination, and fearless gameplay. In 2019, he claimed his first BWF World Tour title at the SaarLorLux Open, signaling his arrival on the global stage. His breakthrough continued in 2021, when he played a crucial role in India's historic Thomas Cup victory, defeating world No. 1 Kento Momota and bronze medalist Anthony Ginting in the tournament.
His performances showcased his ability to challenge the best in the world. The year 2022 was particularly significant for him, as he won a gold medal in men’s singles at the Commonwealth Games, cementing his reputation as one of India's top badminton stars.
In the same year, he became only the fourth Indian male shuttler to secure a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships, a prestigious achievement that highlighted his growing stature in international badminton.
Lakshya Sen made his much-anticipated Olympic debut at Paris 2024, carrying India's hopes for a historic medal in men's singles badminton. His campaign was marked by intense battles against some of the world's best players. In the semifinals, he faced Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, the World No. 2 and reigning Olympic champion.
Despite putting up a strong fight, Lakshya lost 20-22, 14-21, narrowly missing out on a spot in the final. Determined to secure a podium finish, he then competed in the bronze medal match against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia. He started strong, winning the first game 21-13, but Lee made a strong comeback, taking the next two games 16-21, 10-21.
With this loss, Lakshya finished fourth, just short of an Olympic medal. Despite the heartbreak, his performance in Paris was a testament to his skill and resilience, reinforcing his position among the world’s top badminton players.
While Paris 2024 did not bring him a medal, his performance has cemented his status as one of India’s top badminton stars. With many years of badminton ahead, Lakshya Sen is poised to achieve even greater success on the world stage.
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