Following Lakshya Sen’s heartbreaking defeat within the bronze medal match on the Paris Olympics 2024, Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone voiced his frustration and disappointment with Sen and the broader Indian badminton contingent. Sen, who made historical past by turning into the primary Indian male shuttler to succeed in the semifinals in Olympic historical past, fell brief in his quest for a medal, shedding to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia.
Padukone, a mentor to Sen all through the Olympics, expressed his dissatisfaction with the end result, emphasizing the necessity for athletes to take duty for his or her performances reasonably than blaming their federations. “After Milkha Singh in ’64 and PT Usha within the ’80s, we’ve got so many fourth-place finishes. I feel it’s excessive time that the gamers additionally take duty,” Padukone acknowledged. “A minimum of for the outcomes on this Olympics and the earlier one, you can’t maintain the federations and authorities accountable. They’ve all achieved no matter they will. In the end, the duty is on the gamers to go and ship when it issues probably the most.”
Padukone confused the significance of introspection amongst athletes. “The gamers must introspect, and never simply maintain asking for extra from the federations. They should ask themselves whether or not they’re working onerous sufficient as a result of all of those gamers have their very own physios and all of the services. I don’t suppose some other nation, together with the US, has so many services.”
Sen’s match in opposition to Lee Zii Jia was a rollercoaster of feelings. Sen started robust, profitable the primary sport 21-13. Nonetheless, Lee fought again, profitable the second sport 21-16 and storming by means of the decider with a 21-11 victory. This defeat marked a bitter finish to what was in any other case a exceptional Olympic journey for the 22-year-old shuttler.
Reflecting on the match, Padukone was clear in his expectations for Sen. “I and Vimal aren’t pleased with the fourth place of Lakshya. He might have undoubtedly gotten a medal. I do know (Viktor) Axelsen may say that Lakshya is the subsequent finest, however that’s not adequate as a result of there was a chance of a medal,” he remarked.
“Had he misplaced comfortably, it could have been a unique subject. However to have come this far, to have taken the lead… I do know he’s younger, however he can not give this as an excuse. Take the duty and work more durable,” Padukone added, highlighting the necessity for a stronger mentality and higher resilience in essential moments.
Sen, who had beforehand defeated high gamers akin to Kevin Cordon, Jonatan Christie, and HS Prannoy to succeed in the semifinals, was visibly devastated after the match. Regardless of the loss, his journey to the semifinals stays a major achievement for Indian badminton, showcasing the potential and expertise throughout the sport.
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