Lakshya Sen has created history by becoming the first Indian man to reach the semi-finals in badminton at the Olympics. The 22-year-old shuttler from Almora pulled off a remarkable come-from-behind victory against Taiwan's 12th seed Chou Tien Chen at the Paris 2024 Games, thrilling the Indian fans in attendance.

Sen, who is competing in his maiden Olympics, is now just one win away from securing a medal. His performance has been the highlight for Indian badminton, especially after top contenders like Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty exited in the men’s doubles quarter-final, and two-time medalist PV Sindhu was defeated in the women’s singles Round of 16.

In a match lasting one hour and fifteen minutes, Lakshya showcased incredible grit and determination. After losing the first game 19-21, he bounced back to win the next two games 21-15, 21-12. This victory marks only his second win in five encounters against Chou Tien Chen.

Lakshya’s match was a showcase of high-quality badminton, featuring long rallies and exceptional shot-making. Both players pushed each other to the limit, displaying remarkable pace and reflexes. The first game was tightly contested, with Chou taking a slight edge to lead 11-10 at the interval. Despite Chou’s aggressive gameplay, Lakshya managed to turn the tide in the second game, maintaining his focus and pulling away after a minor controversy with the chair umpire.

In the deciding game, Lakshya maintained his energy and composure, leading 11-7 at the interval and closing out the match convincingly. His victory roar and celebration signaled his readiness for the next challenge.

Lakshya Sen will next face the winner of the quarter-final match between reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and Loh Kean Yew of Singapore.