Lakshya Sen, the rising Indian badminton star, revealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his coach, Prakash Padukone, had taken away his telephone throughout his total Olympic competitors in Paris. PM Modi met and felicitated India’s Paris Olympics athletes on Independence Day at his residence, the place Lakshya mirrored on his expertise on the Video games and shared insights into the challenges and cherisable moments he encountered throughout his debut on the Video games.
He revealed that he had lengthy matches proper from the beginning, which required intense focus. Regardless of the calls for of the competitors, athletes made time to socialize, typically having dinner and assembly different worldwide athletes. “It was an enormous factor to share a eating room with a few of them,” Sen remarked, emphasising the assembly with different athletes.
He admitted, “As a first-time Olympian, I used to be nervous throughout my preliminary matches, particularly with the strain of performing in entrance of a large crowd. Nonetheless, because the match progressed, I regained confidence and settled into my sport.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi additionally acknowledged Sen’s efficiency, reminding him, “You’re from ‘Devbhumi (Uttarakhand),’ and you’re a celeb now.”
The Prime Minister’s phrases highlighted the delight of the nation in Sen’s achievements, even with out a medal. In response, Sen shared a behind-the-scenes story, mentioning that coach Padukone took his telephone throughout his matches to assist him keep targeted. “Prakash Sir had taken away my telephone through the matches, and stated you will not get it till the matches are over,” Sen stated.
Sen, made historical past as the primary Indian shuttler to succeed in the semifinals in males’s badminton on the Olympics. He topped his group with victories over prime gamers like Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie and compatriot HS Prannoy within the spherical of 16.
He additionally shocked Chou Tien-chen within the quarterfinals. However he fell in need of bagging his maiden Olympics medal after dropping to world no. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark within the semifinal.
Reflecting on the general assist he acquired, Sen expressed, “It was heartbreaking, coming so near a win however falling quick ultimately.”
PM Modi then provided phrases of encouragement to a shuttler from Almora, stating, “It will have been nice if you happen to got here again with a medal, however nonetheless, you performed properly. However, folks watch with pleasure, not simply from overseas, however kids in our nation are impressed by how properly you performed within the Olympics.”
Sen concluded by expressing his willpower to proceed enhancing his sport, practising onerous, and serving as an inspiration to younger badminton gamers in India.
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