‘Devastated’ Lakshya Sen Comforted By Consistent Support From Coach’s Daughter Deepika

A historic and groundbreaking fourth-place finish? Unfortunately, this was what the Indian contingent was handed as Lakshya Sen fell in the Bronze Medal match at the Paris Olympics.

Sen, who had made history by becoming the first male badminton player to ever make it to the semifinal in the Olympics, was in prime position to seal a medal finish. But, he would fall to the World No.1 Viktor Axelsen in two hearbreaking sets to miss out on a guaranteed medal.

Now. with one opponent standing between Sen and a Bronze medal, the youngster would once again unfortunately fall in the last step to Malaysia’s Zii Jia Lee and lose out on the opportunity to clinch a medal for India and script history as the first Indian male shuttler to bring home an Olympic medal.

“After the match, I was devastated. It’s going to hurt for a while that I couldn’t give India the medal at this Olympics,” Lakshya said in a chat with Humans of Bombay.

“Now that I sit back and think, I know there are some things that I could have done better. Everything was fine, but towards the end, I wasn’t able to get there.”

Sen’s failure to find success evoked a rather fiery and unabashed reply from his coach Prakash Padukone, who took to reporters to expound his disappointment and frustration with Sen’s loss, stating that the 22-year-old needed to take responsibilty for the loss, recalirate and come back stronger.

“I and Vimal are not happy with the fourth position of Lakshya (Sen). He could have definitely gotten a medal. I know (Viktor) Axelsen might say that Lakshya is the next best, but that is not good enough because there was a possibility of a medal.”

“Had he lost comfortably, it would have been a different issue. But to have come this far, to have taken the lead…I know he is young, but he cannot give this as an excuse. Take the responsibility and work harder,” exclaimed a spirited Padukone.

But, it has been said that Sen received nothing but warmth from his coach’s daughter, acclaimed actress Deepika Padukone, who showcased her support for the shuttler throughout the rough period.

“They have been really supportive. Even after the bronze medal match, she called me and said ‘It’s fine; don’t worry. You did good.’ Prakash sir has been like a mentor and father figure to me. It’s always nice to talk to them if I want any advice or want to talk to them freely,” stated Sen.