India’s Lakshya Sen plays against Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen during their men’s singles badminton semifinal match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (Hamad I Mohammed/Pool Photo via AP)
Sen’s parents Dhirendra Kumar Sen and Nirmala Sen expressed delight with the performance of their ward despite coming up just short against Viktor Axelsen in the semis, and demonstrated confidence that the star from Almora would clinch bronze in the playoff game for the medal.
Indian badminton sensation Lakshya Sen fought valiantly in the semifinal of the Paris 2024 Olympics but fell short of a place in the final as Dane Viktor Axelsen beat the 22-year-old in straight sets.
Sen, however, could come back from the quadrennial event in France with a medal as he is up for bronze against the loser of the other semifinal, Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia.
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Following the final-four defeat Sen’s parents Dhirendra Kumar Sen and Nirmala Sen expressed delight with the performance of their ward despite coming up just short. The proud parents of the ace shuttler demonstrated confidence that the star from Almora would clinch bronze in the playoff game for the medal.
“Lakshya tried his best but this happens in matches sometimes. We would have been happier if he had won,” Dhirendra began.
“We will prepare for the Bronze medal match tomorrow,” he added.
“He was very focused in the whole tournament and he was playing well. We are satisfied with his performance,” said Lakshya’s father.
“We will give our best tomorrow and will definitely win bronze for India,” he added.
“He played very well in the whole tournament. I am happy that he played in the semifinals,” Lakshya’s mum Nirmala revealed.
“He played very well but maybe it was not his day,” she said.
“He did his best and reached the semifinals. Now we are waiting for bronze tomorrow,” Nirmala added.
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Sen scripted history as he became the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semifinal of the individual event at the showpiece. He started the day off well and held a lead over the Dane initially in the opening game, but the experienced campaigned Axelsen clawed his way back to take the first game.
The Dane established his command over the Idnian shuttler in the second game and closed out the tie 2-0 to move into the final, thereby condemning Sen to a third-place playoff.
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