Paris 2024: Lakshya Sen succumbs to pressure, Bronze Medal eludes him

Lakshya Sen lost his bronze medal match in badminton at the Paris Olympics, showing clear frustration and sadness. Facing Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia, Lakshya began strongly but faltered as the match progressed. Despite taking an early lead and winning the first game 21-13, he couldn't maintain his form and lost the following two games 16-21, 11-21.

Match performance

In the match, Lakshya was initially in control, but his performance deteriorated as Lee won eight consecutive points in the second game. Lakshya struggled to recover, and Lee's aggressive play took over, eventually leading to Lakshya's defeat. His frustration was evident when he slammed his racquet on his bag after the match.

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Reflections on the defeat

Lakshya admitted he couldn’t keep up the momentum once Lee started playing better. He had also lost to Viktor Axelsen a day earlier, which added to his disappointment. Prakash Padukone, Lakshya’s mentor, highlighted the importance of mental strength in sports, especially at the Olympics. 

Padukone emphasized that players must not only rely on their training but also address mental challenges. Lakshya’s defeat showed a need for stronger mental preparation and introspection. Despite his previous successes, the Olympics proved to be a tough challenge where mental resilience played a crucial role.