Lakshya Sen has etched his name in the annals of Indian badminton history by becoming the first male shuttler from the country to reach the semifinals at the Olympics. He achieved this monumental feat by overcoming a tough challenge in the quarterfinal, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen in a thrilling three-set encounter, 19-21, 21-15, 21-12.
Sen’s victory sets him up for a potential clash against either Viktor Axelsen or Kean Yew Loh in the semifinal, scheduled for Sunday. This remarkable achievement puts Lakshya just one win away from becoming the first Indian man to win an Olympic medal in badminton. Even if he falls short in the semifinal, he will still have another opportunity to create history by competing in the bronze-medal match.
India has already tasted success in Olympic badminton through Saina Nehwal (2008) and PV Sindhu (2021), both of whom secured bronze medals. However, a gold or silver medal in men’s singles has eluded Indian badminton players so far. Lakshya Sen now has the chance to break this barrier and become a national icon. His performance in the semifinals will be watched with bated breath by millions of badminton fans across India.
