“The real test starts from here” - Lakshya Sen after beating Chou Tien-chen in Paris Olympics 2024 QF
Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen continued his incredible journey at the Paris Olympics 2024, as he defeated Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles badminton event by a scoreline of 19-21, 21-15, 21-12. With this victory, Lakshya became the first-ever Indian shuttler to reach the men’s singles semi-finals at the Olympics.
Speaking to the media after the game, the 22-year-old Indian expressed his elation at reaching the last four, where he will have the chance to compete for a podium finish in his first Olympic appearance.
“This [Olympic semi-finals] is something I have never dreamt of and I think it feels really good to be here,” Lakshya said (via olympics.com). “I think there's a lot more work to do. I think the real test starts from here, and now it's time to go back, recover and be ready for the next match.”
“For now, I am focusing on my next match. I have to give my 100%, and I have to do everything to achieve that in the next 48 hours,” he added.
Lakshya Sen will face the winner of the match between Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen and Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew in the semi-final of the men’s singles badminton event of the Paris Olympics 2024 on Sunday, August 4.
Lakshya Sen edges world No. 11 Chou Tien-chen in Paris Olympics 2024 QF
Despite his incredible form in his debut Olympic appearance, Lakshya Sen came into the quarter-final clash against Chou Tien-chen as an underdog. The 22-year-old Indian shuttler is unseeded in the tournament, while World No. 11 Chou was the 12th seed. The 34-year-old was also the more experienced of the two, having won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Lakshya messily started the game, losing points to his opponent’s aggressive play. Chou established a dominant lead after the break and won the first set by a narrow margin of 19-21 despite a late pushback by the Indian.
However, Lakshya Sen roared back in the second set, showing exactly why he has been receiving so much adulation at this year’s Summer Olympics. The young shuttler from Almora read Chou’s shots well and established a lead that he carried on till the end of the set, which he won 21-15.
The second set was an emotional affair for Lakshya, who even got into an argument with the referee after he challenged a decision when the game was tied 7-7. However, he clarified in a post-match interview that the argument was simply about him being unable to see the challenge on the on-field screen.
In the final set, Lakhya Sen kept his cool and took a strong lead against the tiring Chou. The Taiwanese shuttler made a few unenforced errors late into the game and despite a good fight, failed to catch up to Lakshya, who eventually won the set 21-12.