NEW DELHI: India’s hopes for a first-ever Olympic gold in badminton were dashed as Lakshya Sen lost to reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen in the men’s singles semifinals at the Paris Games on Sunday.
Sen, a 22-year-old and a bronze medalist at the 2021 World Championships, was defeated by Axelsen in a tightly contested 54-minute match.
Sen had a three-point advantage in the first game and a 7-0 lead in the second.However, he eventually succumbed to Axelsen with scores of 20-22, 14-21.
Despite this loss, Sen still has a chance to become the first Indian male shuttler to win an Olympic medal. He is set to face Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal playoff.
India’s quest for Olympic gold in badminton is still ongoing. PV Sindhu previously secured a silver medal at the Rio Olympics and a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. Saina Nehwal also won a bronze at the London Games.
Sen’s upcoming match provides another opportunity for India to extend its Olympic badminton medal tally.
Sen, a 22-year-old and a bronze medalist at the 2021 World Championships, was defeated by Axelsen in a tightly contested 54-minute match.
Sen had a three-point advantage in the first game and a 7-0 lead in the second.However, he eventually succumbed to Axelsen with scores of 20-22, 14-21.
Despite this loss, Sen still has a chance to become the first Indian male shuttler to win an Olympic medal. He is set to face Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal playoff.
India’s quest for Olympic gold in badminton is still ongoing. PV Sindhu previously secured a silver medal at the Rio Olympics and a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. Saina Nehwal also won a bronze at the London Games.
Sen’s upcoming match provides another opportunity for India to extend its Olympic badminton medal tally.
