Sen is likley to face compatriot HS Prannoy in the pre-quarterfinals. Prannoy will face Vietnam's Le Duc Phat later in the day
Lakshya Sen in action (Pic: Screengrab/@sportwalkmedia/X)
Lakshya Sen's clash against World No.3 Jonatan Christie at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024 was nothing short of electrifying, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats.
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In this high-stakes encounter, the 22-year-old Indian delivered a moment of sheer brilliance in the opening game, a feat that could well become a defining moment in badminton history.
Amidst a relentless rally, Sen found himself in a seemingly untenable position as the shuttlecock darted back and forth at lightning speed, with both players engaged in a grueling test of endurance.
It was during this intense exchange that Sen performed an astonishing feat.
As the shuttlecock flew towards him, Sen executed a behind-the-back shot with a flick of his wrist and a deft twist of his body, leaving Christie and everyone in the arena utterly astounded. Watch the video below:
In-sen shot by Lakshya!! 😱#Cheer4Bharat and catch LIVE action now on #Sports18 and stream FREE on #JioCinema👇🏻https://t.co/AOjqOgWpZE#OlympicsOnJioCinema #OlympicsOnSports18 #Cheer4India #Badminton #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/vu8rSfotqs
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) July 31, 2024
Lakshya Sen Mad Bro 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/m9A4VTCFdh
— Rahul Gummadi (@TweetinRahul) July 31, 2024
The shot was delivered with such precision and flair that it completely caught Christie off guard.
Starting from a challenging 8-2 deficit in the opening game, Lakshya Sen mounted an incredible comeback by scoring seven consecutive points, ultimately clinching Game 1 with a score of 21-18. The no-look, behind-the-back stroke was a pivotal moment, granting Sen two crucial game points and demonstrating his exceptional skill.
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However, the point was far from over. After his audacious maneuver, Sen had to maintain his focus and composure. With Christie scrambling to regain his footing, Sen employed a series of deft touches to keep his opponent off balance. Seizing the opportunity as Christie was stretched to his limits, Sen finished the point with a decisive smash, securing a game point and concluding a rally that will be remembered for years to come.
Sen is likley to face compatriot HS Prannoy in the pre-quarterfinals. Prannoy will face Vietnam's Le Duc Phat later in the day.
Sen had defeated Kevin Cordon, a Tokyo Olympics semifinalist, in the opening Group L match on Sunday which was "deleted" after his Guatemalan opponent pulled out due to a left elbow injury.
Sen, a gold medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, then defeated Julien Carraggi of Belgium.
(With agency inputs)