Paris, August 2: In a standout performance at the Paris Olympics, Lakshya Sen has secured his place in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles badminton event, marking a significant achievement in his Olympic debut. On Thursday, Sen triumphed over fellow Indian HS Prannoy with a dominant straight-games victory of 21-12, 21-6 at the La Chapelle Arena’s Court 3.
The match was a showcase of Sen’s prowess and readiness, as he dispatched Prannoy in just 39 minutes. Despite Prannoy’s usual competitiveness, he struggled visibly due to fatigue. Having played a grueling three-game match against Vietnamese player Le Duc Phat the previous day, coupled with the lingering effects of chikungunya, Prannoy’s performance was notably compromised.
Sen’s victory not only highlights his impressive debut at the Games but also emphasizes the challenges faced by athletes dealing with the physical toll of back-to-back matches and health issues. As Prannoy’s Olympic journey comes to an end in the Round of 16, Sen continues his quest for gold with a promising start in Paris.