Lakshya Sen Makes History as First Indian Male Shuttler to Reach Olympic Semi-Finals

Lakshya Sen: On August 2, 2024, Lakshya Sen made history by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to advance to the semi-finals at the Olympics. The 22-year-old displayed exceptional skill and resilience, securing a comeback victory over Taiwan’s 12th seed Chou Tien Chen. This win brings Sen one step closer to securing a medal for India in badminton, following the exits of prominent players such as Satwik-Chirag and PV Sindhu.

Upcoming Challenge

Lakshya Sen is set to face a familiar rival, Viktor Axelsen, in the semi-finals. Sen, who has trained with the former World No.1 in Dubai, has spoken highly of Axelsen’s professional approach and intense training sessions. According to Sen's coach, Vimal Kumar, this experience has been instrumental for Sen's preparation. “Lakshya noted Viktor’s professional approach and focus during their training sessions, which was a significant learning experience for him,” Kumar explained. Sen acknowledges that his next match against Axelsen will be a significant challenge, with the Danish star yet to lose a game in the tournament.

Head-to-Head Record

The head-to-head record favors Axelsen, who has won 7 out of 8 singles matches against Sen. Sen's sole victory came at the 2022 German Open semi-finals, where he won 21-13, 12-21, 22-20. Their most recent encounter was at the Singapore Open 2024, where Axelsen defeated Sen 21-13, 16-21, 21-13. Also read: Day 8 Schedule: Manu Bhaker’s Medal Round, Archery Eliminations, and Sailing Races

Semi-Final Details

The highly anticipated semi-final between Lakshya Sen and Viktor Axelsen will take place on August 4, 2024, at the Paris Olympics. The match is scheduled to start no earlier than 12 PM IST and will follow the first semi-final between Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Jia Zii Lee.