Lakshay Sen:gold in badminton

By Palak Srivastava

Lakshya Sen is a young lad known for his strong will, determination, and marvelous talent in badminton. Born on August 16, 2001, in Almora, Uttarakhand, his journey to becoming a star badminton player is full of relentless hard work and overcoming several challenges. At every step of the journey, he had the support of his family standing beside him in each odd situation so that he fulfilled his dreams and rose to fame in that particular sport. He is a person born with so much skill, and his determination towards the game is, of course, something to be proud of.

Early Life and Family Background

Lakshya belongs to a family in which badminton is considerably cherished. His father, D.K. Sen, was engaged as a coach by the Sports Authority of India, and his elder brother, Chirag Sen, happens to be a professional badminton player. So, it could be said that he was groomed in an environment where badminton was a part of life. The young boy took a great interest in the game. His father again played the role of a great mentor for him in the early periods of his life.

Almora, a small town in the hills of Uttarakhand, might not be the usual place to raise a world-class athlete, but for Lakshya, it was the best setting. Its high-altitude environment gave him a natural advantage in terms of the aspect of stamina and endurance, about which he would really have to care in his career. Professional training facilities, on the other hand, were totally lacking in Almora. For this, Lakshya relocated to Bangalore, where he had the opportunity to train under the vigilant eyes of Prakash Padukone and Vimal Kumar at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy—a career-defining move.

Early Career and Challenges

Lakshya's was not a journey without its shares of obstacles. Relocation to another city away from home at a young age for a sports career isn't ever easy, and with regard to Lakshya, the transition was really tough. Coupled with the physical demands of the sport, the pressure to perform tested his resolve. But Lakshya showed great maturity and resilience, two qualities that would mark his career in the years to come. For all the odds, the talent still shone through in the junior circuit. He made his stamp by winning the bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championships in 2016—a big achievement that put him on the map. A year later, he won the gold in the event and became the first Indian in 53 years to do so in the Under-19 category.

However, the transition from junior to senior level is often fraught with difficulties, and Lakshya was no exception. Competing against seasoned players with years of experience required not just skill but also mental toughness. Lakshya faced several setbacks during this period, with injuries and inconsistent performances challenging his confidence. Yet, he never allowed these setbacks to deter him. Instead, he used them as learning experiences, continuously working on improving his game.

Breakthrough and Rise to Prominence

It was the perseverance of Lakshya that started to pay off as slowly he began to make a presence in the senior circuit. In 2019, he bagged the Dutch Open and SaarLorLux Open titles to make his presence felt on the global stage. These were followed by the outstanding performance at the 2019 BWF World Junior Championships, where he ended up with a silver, missing the gold by a whisker. In 2021, Lakshya's career turned around as he won the prestigious India Open Super 500 title. That win launched him right into the top echelons of world badminton and established him as one of the top shuttlers globally. His consistent performances also earned him a spot in the Indian team for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, which became a dream come true for the young athlete.

Olympics journey and beyond 

For any athlete, it is the Olympics that crowns his career, and it was the same for Lakshya. He took pride in representing his country on the biggest stage possible. Not winning a medal himself, he did leave a mark with his performance to prove that he belonged amongst the best in the world. The experience at the Olympics added to his hunger for success, and Lakshya remains determined to bring home a medal in future editions. His career continued its upward spiral post-Olympics. In 2022, he reached the finals of the All England Open Badminton Championships, which is one of the biggest tournaments in the sport. Though he finished as runner-up, he received numerous praises for the performance, and it reiterated his position as one of the shining stars in badminton.

Overview of his challenges

Lakshya's journey has been a land of battles, right from fighting injuries to the constant pressures that come through high-level competition. Notwithstanding these challenges, one of the bigger hurdles was the COVID-19 pandemic, which hampered his training and competition schedule. When others were competing, Lakshya used this period to get back to fitness and technique; he came out stronger and more determined. To overcome this is the proof of his mental strength inculcated by family and coaches. His father has been a great help in taking decisions throughout his highs and lows. His family, particularly his brother Chirag, often mentor and sparring partner, made all the sacrifices to see Lakshya through.

The road ahead 

While Lakshya Sen turns 23 today, he is still only at the threshold of what has obviously been an extraordinary journey so far. Having won several international titles and with his rising reputation as one of the rising stars in the sport, much more is expected from Lakshya in the coming times. Continuing to work on his skills and garnering experience at the international stage, badminton waits with bated breath for the fulfillment of huge potential that lies in this youngster. Lakshya Sen's story shows the ingredients of perseverance, hard work, and unflinching belief in his abilities—something inspirational to aspiring athletes across the globe.