Lakshya Sen, one of India’s promising badminton players, faced a challenging end to his Paris Olympics campaign. Despite a strong start, Sen struggled in the semifinals and bronze medal match, losing crucial games that cost him a medal.
Performance Review
- Semifinal Performance: Sen took an early lead against Viktor Axelsen but failed to maintain it, eventually losing the match.
- Bronze Medal Match: After winning the first game, Sen lost his advantage and was defeated by Lee Zii Jia.
Insights from Mental Conditioning Coach
Paddy Upton, who has been working with Sen since February, shared his perspective on the young athlete’s performance and future prospects.
- First Olympics Experience: Upton highlighted that this was Sen’s first Olympic Games and noted that reaching the semifinals was a significant achievement for him.
- Future Potential: Upton believes Sen has the potential to become a gold medal contender with more experience. He emphasized that Sen has the skill, fitness, and talent required to compete at the highest level.
Looking Ahead
- Growth and Learning: According to Upton, Sen is on a journey of learning. He stressed that gaining experience is crucial for athletes, and with time, Sen is expected to improve and perform even better.
- Support and Encouragement: Despite the setbacks, Upton remains optimistic about Sen’s future and encourages him to stay focused and continue developing his skills.
