India’s rising badminton star, Lakshya Sen, created history on Friday by securing his place in the semi-finals of the men’s singles event at the ongoing Paris Olympics. Sen’s thrilling victory over Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen, with scores of 19-21, 21-15, 21-12, marks the first time an Indian male shuttler has reached this stage in the men’s singles event.
The quarter-final clash was a nail-biting encounter from start to finish. The 22-year-old Sen now stands on the cusp of adding to India’s medal tally in the Olympics, with his next match promising to be another exciting battle.
The first set was an intense, back-and-forth affair that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Chou’s aggressive smashes were met with Lakshya’s elegant defensive plays, creating a captivating spectacle. The set saw several ties, with Lakshya initially keeping pace with Chou’s early lead. However, Chou eventually edged out Lakshya with a 21-19 win.
In the second set, Lakshya demonstrated resilience and tactical prowess. Despite an early lead by Chou, Lakshya capitalized on his opponent’s errors and showcased his athleticism. He managed to overturn the deficit and secured a 21-15 victory, forcing the match into a decisive third set.
The final set saw Lakshya digging deep to overcome Chou’s early dominance. His relentless determination and strategic play allowed him to pull ahead and ultimately clinch the set 21-12, thus making history as the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semi-finals at the Olympics.
