'More To Learn': Lakshya Sen Grateful For Prakash Padukone Amidst Paris Olympics Backlash

Lakshya Sen exceeded a lot of expectations at Paris Olympics with his fantastic performance as he became the first Indian Men's Badminton player to reach the semi-finals of Olympics. Despite his amazing performances, Lakshya Sen missed out on a medal at Paris Olympics after losing the Semi-Final to Champion Viktor Axelsen and Bronze medal match to Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia. 

As Lakshya Sen missed out on a medal the Indian Badminton contingent for the first time since Beijing 2008 returned home without an Olympic medal. This made India's Badminton mentor at Paris Olympics and legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone criticise the players for not living upto the expectations. Padukone received a lot of backlash for his comments but Lakshya Sen has now come out in defence of his mentor. 

Lakshya Sen grateful for Prakash Padukone 

Prakash Padukone after Lakshya Sen's bronze medal lost had criticised the Indian Badminton contingent for not winning a medal in Paris. He slammed players citing that Government had given all the necessary facilities required for Badminton players to succeed but they couldn't cope with the pressure. 

This didn't bode well with a lot of people in India and India's Badminton player at Paris Olympics in Ashwini Ponnappa spoke out against Padukone for throwing people under the bus. 

However, Lakshya Sen has returned to India on the back of his Paris Olympics campaign and decided to silence the fire by posting a grateful post for Prakash Padukone and the Prakash Padukone academy.

“I’m back in Bangalore and all set to resume my training at my home base at the Prakash Padukone academy after a memorable Olympic journey. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I have literally grown up as a person and an athlete at the academy. I would like to thank my mentors Prakash sir and Vimal sir….I have so much more to learn at PPBA and, hopefully, lots more to offer this beautiful sport of badminton. The fire burns brightly within me,” said Lakshya Sen on X. 

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Lakshya Sen will certainly be looking to take his game to the next level and cross the final hurdle as he would want to do justice to the talent and form he showed at the Paris Olympics. 

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Lakshya Sen will be eyeing the Los Angles Olympics in 2028 now as he strives to win his first ever medal for India at the Olympics.