Post Worlds, Lakshya Sen aims for more

Express News Service

BENGALURU:  After a lack of matches in 2020 due to the pandemic, 2021 was going to be a challenge for Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen. He has passed that challenge with flying colours, becoming just the third Indian man to medal at the World Championships.

But it did not happen overnight for the pride of Almora, who joined the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru five years ago. He spent hours honing his skills at the academy under various coaches. He became world number one in juniors and clinched silver at the 2018 Youth Olympics. The bronze medallist, in an interaction with select media, spoke on various topics, including the coaches, who have shaped his career. Excerpts.
 
About the season & Worlds

It was a good season for me. To end the year with a bronze, it was a good run for me, especially in the last two months. It is going to give me great confidence going ahead. 

On competing with big players leading up to Worlds

It was a good experience for me playing Momota and Axelsen twice. Those matches gave me a lot of confidence and in between there was training and I could take care of my body.  

On contribution of coaches so far

From a very young age, Prakash and Vimal sir have supported me. They have both been there in training, providing me with inputs. Sometimes Vimal sir travelled with me for tournaments, too. In 2019, we went to Denmark for three months. When I started working with Morten sir, I was ranked 110 and then I moved to the top 30. He changed my playing style a little.