In a landmark moment for Indian badminton, Lakshya Sen and H.S. Prannoy will square off in an all-Indian encounter in the Olympic knockout stage. This historic clash marks the first time two Indians have advanced to this stage in the men’s singles event, signifying a new era for Indian badminton on the world stage.
Sen, known for his consistent performances and tactical prowess, has displayed impressive form throughout the tournament, notably overcoming the challenge of medal favorite Jonatan Christie in the group stages. Meanwhile, Prannoy showcased his resilience and fighting spirit by defeating Le Duc Phat, the 70th-ranked player from Vietnam.
The winner of this clash will face a formidable opponent in the quarterfinals, either the fifth seed Kodai Naraoka or the 12th seed Chou Tien Chen. Both Sen and Prannoy are poised to create history by securing India’s first men’s badminton medal at the Olympics.
Adding to the excitement, India has further representation in the round of 16, with two-time Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu in the women’s singles and the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advancing from the group stages.
The rivalry between Sen and Prannoy has been intense, with Lakshya holding a slight edge in the head-to-head record, 4-3. Their most recent encounter was at the India Open in January 2023, where Sen emerged victorious with a dominant 21-14, 21-15 win. As the two Indians prepare for this historic clash, anticipation is running high for a thrilling and competitive match that could rewrite the history of Indian badminton.
