"Lakshya Sen is a mentality monster" - Fans laud shuttler's triumph in men's singles quarter-finals at Paris Olympics
For badminton fans in India, the epitome of comeback until yesterday was PV Sindhu. But today, they have a new name - Lakshya Sen. Once again, Sen has proved that morning doesn't always show the day.
In the quarter-final clash against Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien-chen, Sen lost the first game 21-19 but came back in style in the next two games 21-15, 21-12 to dance into the semi-finals of the men's singles event at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Notably, this was Lakshya Sen's debut Olympic Games campaign and he has stunned not only the world but also his own countrymen. Chou showed immense aggression through the first game but slowly Sen adapted to his opponent's style of play. In fact, there were moments when Sen outwitted Chou using the latter's formula.
Fans were humbled? Amazed? There's no proper adjective to add to this, but they were proud for sure as he has now become the first Indian male shuttler to enter the last four of the Olympic Games.
A user wrote on X:
"And he has done it. I feel so privileged to have watched Lakshya Sen play. First ever Indian male badminton player to enter semis of an Olympics."
Another fan account wrote:
"First Indian male to enter an Olympic badminton semi final. Lakshya Sen is smashing history."
One user properly analyzed the Sen vs Chou game. He wrote:
"Lakshya Sen is a mentality monster. Big games, big players don't deter him. He may make faults here and there but his confidence never shakes. Chou is such a good defensive player. Beating him in his game after being one set down tells you about the mental strength of Lakshya. Fingers crossed for a medal for him."
Other fans were all applause for Sen. One user posted:
"As swashbuckling as it can ever get ! The first Indian male shuttler to have reached the Olympics semis. Lakshya Sen acing the game and how!"
One fan found out a funny way to celebrate the shuttler's historic triumph. The account's post stated:
"Lakshya Sen ne apne lakshya par saadha and satik Nishana!"
Another account claimed that Lakshya Sen is out on a mission. The post read:
"Lakshya Sen what player he is came back after 1st game loss and dominated next two games he is the man on a mission right now no fancy celebration he is aiming for the gold and I think he is getting gold."
What next for Lakshya Sen?
Lakshya Sen is just two steps away from creating a history. Till date, India have won three medals in badminton, out of which two are bronze and one is of silver. Sen could possibly become the first gold-medalist for India in badminton at the Summer Games.
His semi-final is set to take place on Sunday, August 4, where he will take on either Singapore's Loh Kean Yew or Denmark's Viktor Axelsen.