Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen recently opened up about the emotional rollercoaster of his 2024 season, acknowledging that it was a challenging year for him.
Despite coming incredibly close to securing his first Olympic medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Lakshya remains determined, expressing that the fire inside him continues to burn bright. He is ready to bounce back stronger and continue his pursuit of greatness as the new Olympic cycle begins.
In Paris, Lakshya made history by becoming the first Indian to reach the men’s singles semifinals at the Summer Olympics. His remarkable journey included stunning victories over top-ranked opponents, such as Jonatan Christie in the group stage and fellow Indian H.S. Prannoy in the Round of 16.
These wins showcased his undeniable talent and determination on the global stage. However, Lakshya’s quest for Olympic glory was halted by Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, the eventual gold medalist, in the semifinal.
Despite his impressive run, Lakshya fell short in the bronze medal match against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia, missing out on becoming the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in men’s singles.
Reflecting on his disappointment, Lakshya admitted that the close miss of an Olympic medal in 2024 was tough. "Last year was a bit tough for me. Coming this close to a medal and missing out. But, for me, the fire inside me is still burning," he said during the India Open pre-tournament press conference.
Despite the setback, Lakshya remains focused on his goals, eager to recover from the heartache and perform better in the upcoming tournaments leading to the next Olympics. His resilience and determination shine through as he looks ahead to the next chapter of his career.
The 23-year-old shuttler, who clinched the prestigious India Open title in 2022, is looking forward to making a successful return to the tournament. However, this time, he is hoping to win in front of a live audience.
In 2022, the India Open was held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Lakshya’s victory was celebrated in an empty arena.
“When I won the India Open in 2022, it was not in front of the fans. So I hope I win it again in front of the amazing fans here in India,” Lakshya said. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity for fans to witness top-level badminton and support the Indian players.
The India Open promises to be an exciting event for both the players and the fans.
While his journey at the season-opening Malaysia Open did not go as planned, with Lakshya losing in the first round to lower-ranked Chi Yu-jen of Chinese Taipei, he remains optimistic and determined to keep improving.
His early exit from the Malaysia Open serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of international badminton, but it has not dampened his spirit.
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