Lakshya Sen, a 21-year-old badminton player from Almora, India, has his sights set on winning his first medal at the Asian Games and breaking into the world’s top five rankings. However, his immediate focus is on maintaining his impressive form at the World Championships.
Sen has recently bounced back from a challenging period, securing a victory in Canada in July and reaching the semifinals at both the US Open and Japan Open. He had previously won a bronze medal at the World Championships in 2021 and is hoping to add another medal to his collection when he competes in Copenhagen, Denmark, starting August 21.
Sen believes that his recent performances will be beneficial as he prepares for the World Championships. “I feel the past tournaments which I played will really help me go into the tournament,” he said during the inauguration of the Badminton Association of India’s National Centre of Excellence.
While he acknowledges that there are still areas for improvement, Sen is confident in his preparation and form. He is also looking forward to the Asian Games, a major multi-sport event held every four years, which will take place from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China.
However, Sen’s journey has not been without its challenges. After the World Championships last year, he experienced a difficult period where his world ranking dropped from six to 25. Currently ranked 11th in the world, Sen has been performing well in recent weeks and aims to break into the top five next year.
Last year, Sen underwent nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum, leading to an extended recovery period of eight months. This affected his performance, resulting in early exits in the last four events of 2022 and a tough start to 2023.
Despite these setbacks, Sen remains optimistic and focused on his goals. He has made several changes to his training team and has recovered from his post-nasal surgery issues. With the Olympic qualification year underway, Sen is prioritising his physical health and preparing for a busy schedule of tournaments.
In conclusion, Lakshya Sen is a determined and talented athlete who is committed to achieving his goals. Despite facing challenges, he continues to strive for excellence and is looking forward to competing in upcoming tournaments.
