Lakshya Sen: Rising badminton star on the path to greatness

(August 8, 2024) The tension was palpable when a furious rally between Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen and Indonesian counterpart Jonathan Christie had the crowd on the edge of their seats at the Paris Olympics 2024. In the midst of the tense match, Lakshya delivered a moment of pure brilliance with a behind-the-back shot, creating a moment that could become legendary in badminton history. Executed with precision, the shot had the world gaping in awe of this Indian shuttler who made his Olympic debut.

When Lakshya began training at the Prakash Padukone Academy at the age of 12, little did he know that he would be representing India at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 22-year-old, sen-sational player, might have missed the chance to clinch a medal at the biggest sporting event but his run at Olympics is testament to his craft and dedication.

 

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Even Denmark’s Viktor Axelson, the reigning world number one in men’s singles, who played against Lakshya in semi-finals was all praise for the Almora boy. “Lakshya is an amazing player. He has shown in this Olympics that he is a very, very strong competitor and I am sure in four years from now, he will be one of the favourites to win the gold,” he said.

Badminton in his DNA

The Commonwealth Games champion, Lakshya Sen, seems to have badminton in his DNA. Growing up in the cantonment town of Almora in Uttarakhand, he developed a fascination for the game at an early age. He fondly recalls holding his grandfather’s hand at the tender age of five and accompanying him to the town’s only outdoor court. Lakshya’s grandfather, Chandra Lal Sen, was a well-known figure in Almora, often referred to as the grand old man of badminton. Chandra Lal first discovered badminton during his posting in Bahraich, near the Nepal border, where he quickly developed a passion for the sport and even competed in civil services tournaments. He later introduced the game to Almora, and his son, DK Sen, followed in his footsteps. When Lakshya was seven, he began training under his father’s guidance, who is regarded as a revolutionary coach in the field.

His training began with the multi-feed shuttle drill, a technique where the coach stands at the center of the opposite court and hits shuttles to different areas of the player’s court, forcing them to move rapidly from one corner to another. While most players typically start multi-feed drills later in their training, Lakshya began practicing them from the outset. His mother said in an interview that Lakshya had a childhood. “From age five, it has been badminton all the time. From 4.30 in the morning, even when it is bitterly cold, he was out training with his father.”

Lakshya Sen

Sen’s early training laid a solid foundation, but a significant turning point came in 2013 when his father took him to the Prakash Padukone Academy. There, he trained under renowned coaches U Vimal Kumar and Prakash Padukone. This experience propelled Lakshya to the top of the junior circuit, ultimately becoming the World No. 1 junior player in 2017. Reflecting on his journey, the Global Indian said in an interview, “My grandfather was a badminton player, and my father is a coach. That’s how I got introduced to the sport. Once I started excelling in junior tournaments, I decided to pursue a career as a professional shuttler.”

The start of a promising career

Transitioning from a top junior player to a successful competitor in the senior circuit was not without its challenges for Lakshya, especially during his brief time at the academy run by Danish legend Morten Frost. However, the continuous focus on building his strength and stamina paid off. In 2018, he made a strong comeback by winning a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship, a gold at the Asian Juniors, and a gold in the mixed team event, as well as a silver in men’s singles at the Youth Olympic Games. These years of dedicated practice have helped him become a more patient player and have led to impressive results on the court.

“Compared to my junior days, I am a little more patient. Trying to rally more. I need to improve this more for sure, but there are a lot more things to learn, but from then to now, it is a difference in my game. That I make the effort to play better strokes from the back, not just go all out with smashes… trying to build up a point. In the senior circuit, everyone is fit and the shuttle keeps coming back. You have to play long rallies, long matches. Preparing for that, I have improved my fitness,” he said in an interview.

 

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In 2019, Lakshya Sen clinched his first BWF Tour title by winning the Dutch Open men’s singles, defeating Japan’s Yusuke Onodera. He also secured victory at the Scottish Open later that November. However, a pivotal moment in his career came in August 2021 when he participated in a two-week training session with Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen. During this time, Lakshya learned various training methods, including advanced strengthening and conditioning techniques. This experience proved to be a game-changer, setting him on the path to recent successes, including his triumph at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Despite the high stakes, Lakshya remained calm and didn’t focus on the pressure of winning a medal. He maintained confidence in his abilities, which helped him excel on the big stage.

Lakshya’s sensational performances on the international stage led him to the Paris Olympics 2024. Although he delivered some great matches and became a household name, he fell short of clinching a medal. However, in this short span, he demonstrated to the world that he is a champion in the making. His journey has been marked by perseverance and remarkable growth, and while the Olympic medal eluded him this time, his potential and talent have clearly shown that his future in badminton is bright and promising.

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