THE TORCHBEARERS

LAKSHYA SEN – INDIAN BADMINTON PLAYER

Ek khiladi ka “Lakshya” kya hota hai? World Champion banana,

Medals jeetna, desh ka naam roshan karna aur aane wali peedi ko
prerit karna… And to be the best in the business it takes hard
work, commitment, blood, sweat, tears & sacrifice.
Lekin agar naam mein hi “Lakshya” ho toh uski manzil ka raasta
khud-ba-khud ban jaata hai.
The rising star of Indian Badminton has impressed everyone with
his passion, grit & dedication. Indian Badminton’s next great
hope is destined for big things in world badminton in the years to
come.
Ladies & Gentlemen… Welcome to this very special episode of The
Torchbearers… I’m Arpit Sharma and today on the show we have
with us the emerging poster boy of Indian Badminton Lakshya
Sen. Welcome to the show Lakshya.

- Past 7 to 8 months has been excellent for you. Thomas Cup

win, Silver medal at the 2022 All England Open, Bronze
medal at the World Championships & winning India Open
your first Super 500 title. How do you personally look at this
particular period?

- So far your recent form has been fantastic. But let’s roll
back the years. Badminton is in your genes. Was it like you
always wanted to be a Badminton player or did it happen by
chance? When did you fall in love with the sport?

- The strong foundation was laid in Almora by your

grandfather Chandra Lal Sen. How big a role did he play in
your life?

(Your Dadaji – The Grand Old Man of Badminton in Almora

not just played a big role in your life & career… he did all the
hard work to get Badminton to the city. Despite having
many ups & downs, he kept Badminton alive in Almora).

- Your father Dhirendra Kumar Sen is a badminton coach and

your brother has been a part of the game as well, how have
they influenced your game and career over the years?
- Your mother Nirmala she is a teacher your father is a
Badminton coach. What was it like at home? Studies first or
the sport or was it the other way round? The usual scene at
any house in India is phele padhai puri karlo… phir khelna…
was it the same with you?

- With all the hectic travelling & schedules how do you

manage to study because you’re still trying to finish your
graduation?

- The first big change in your life came in 2013 when your
father took you to the Prakash Padukone Academy in
Bengaluru to train under Vimal Kumar & Prakash Padukone.
How big a change was it for you because suddenly from
Almora you’re in a set-up where it was all about the
Badminton. Give us an insight into the academy & how has it
helped you become the player you are today?

(On March 19, 2022 former Olympian Viren Rasquinha

tweeted: A decade back when we started supporting a tiny
Lakshay Sen & shifted him to PPBA Bangalore, Prakash
Padukone sir told me that one day this boy will conquer the
world. I laughed. But he obviously wasn’t joking)

- Your meteoric rise was predicted a decade ago by the

legendary Prakash Padukone. He along with former chief
national coach Vimal Kumar spotted you. You’re personally
being groomed by Mr. Padukone. You have said he inspires
you the most. How much of an impact he has had on you in
life and in your career?

- Could put some light on the kind of conversations you have

before the game & after the game with Mr. Prakash
Padukone?

- Vimal Kumar has a played huge role in your career. Could

you please tell us how has he helped you improve your game
both on & off the court? (Few examples)

- You had an excellent junior career. But we would like to

know, was the transition difficult from the junior circuit to
the senior circuit?
- Speaking of your senior career, let’s talk about the All
England Open. How was the overall experience of
representing India at such a prestigious event?

- All England Championships - Mr. Prakash Padukone won it in

1980 & Pullela Gopichand in 2001. And in 2022 you were on
the verge of creating history. But we would like to know
what was going through your mind the night before the
final?
- You faced Olympic Champion Viktor Axelsen in the final of
All England Championships. Tough opponent, tough result.
All eyes were on you the young prodigious 20-year old
Lakshay Sen from India. Did you feel the pressure?

- Lakshay, when you face someone like Viktor Axelsen or Lee

Zii Jia who is taller than you, bigger in size plus they are
vastly physical & speedier. What is your game plan against
such opponents? How do plan & prepare?

- Your father also spoke of a visible shift in your mental

approach. You have become more calm and composed as
compared to your junior badminton days. How has your
temperament changed? How did you work on it?

- You said in an interview that your mantra for the road ahead
is – Recover, remain injury-free. Badminton is tough sport.
You play the game, comeback and recover for the next one.
We would like to know the process of recovery?

(Follow-up) When you play lot of tournaments in a short

span of time… Is recovery tough during that period?

- There is another mantra that your father gave: Shorter

swing, more sting. Have you adapted this in your game?

- After defeating the defending champion Lee Zii Jia of

Malaysia at the All England semi-final… you mentioned, you
made lot of errors on the net… is it something that you’re
working on as far as your game is concerned keeping the
upcoming Commonwealth Games in mind?

- The Malaysian Lee Zii Jia has pulled out of the

Commonwealth Games does this brightens the prospect of
one of the Indian shuttlers going all the way in Birmingham?
- The Indian squad for Commonwealth Games looks solid.
With the likes Kidambi Srikanth, the doubles pair of Satwik
Sairaj & Chirag Shetty & 2-time Olympic medalist will lead
the women’s team. Do we see a repeat of 2018
Commonwealth Games where we won 6 medals including 2
golds?

- Talking specifically about the doubles pair of Satwik Sairaj &

Chirag Shetty. They had a big role to play in India’s success
at the Thomas Cup. You were on the sidelines watching
them win games for India. What are your views on this
Indian pair? Did enjoy watching them unleash their power
game on the court?

- The Indian pair they have been excellent on the court. But in
singles according to you who is the No.1 player?

- Before we let you go final 2 questions: What does Lakshay

Sen do to unwind? To keep himself fresh before a big
tournament?

- There is a lot of discipline that is required to reach where

you have at just 20. But what suggestions will you give to
the youngsters who dream to be the best in any sport?