(Badminton News) Lakshya Sen experienced a remarkable ascent, securing the Commonwealth Games gold, World Team Championships gold at the Thomas Cup, reaching the finals at the prestigious All England, and winning the title at the India Open. Achieving a career-high world ranking of No. 6, Lakshya Sen’s success seemed unstoppable. However, the narrative took a turn in 2023 as he grappled with challenges, securing only one title at the Canada Open amidst a series of unremarkable performances.
After facing an early exit at the India Open on Tuesday, Lakshya Sen appeared disheartened during the post-match interview. The focus shifted to his Olympic qualification hopes, and while he claimed to be in the match zone, his response hinted at a search for answers to a puzzling situation.
Lakshya Sen, once considered a medal hopeful for Paris 2024, has encountered a dip in form since his impressive performance at the Asian Games team event. The dry spell on the BWF World Tour includes seven consecutive first-round exits, raising concerns about his confidence and game strategy. Coach Vimal Kumar noted that Sen, though injury-free and training well, currently lacks confidence and struggles to play the right game.
Examining Lakshya Sen’s recent results, it’s crucial to distinguish between health-related struggles earlier in the year and the more recent crisis of confidence. Despite being in peak physical condition, the lack of favorable results has frustrated both Sen and his support team. The emphasis on attitude, effort, and a disciplined approach to training has not translated into desired outcomes. Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha and Coach Vimal Kumar express confidence in Sen’s ability to overcome this challenging phase, emphasizing the importance of believing in oneself and continuous effort.
The magic potion for Sen’s revival seems to be securing a few wins to boost his confidence. Vimal Kumar believes that overcoaching is not the solution, and Sen should focus on simplifying his game and avoiding overthinking. While Sen’s recent defeats have affected his standing in the Race to Paris, Vimal advises against fixating on Olympic qualification, as such concerns can contribute to anxiety and tightness during matches.
In terms of coaching, there are no plans to introduce a new coach, with Vimal continuing to work with Sen in Bengaluru. On the technical side, Vimal stresses the need for regular and meaningful psychological sessions to address confidence issues and stabilize Sen’s game.
In the face of mounting challenges, Sen is urged to go back to basics, remember what worked for him, simplify his game, and avoid overthinking. While Mission Paris may seem daunting with each defeat, Vimal remains optimistic, asserting that Sen, a resilient individual, will find his way back to form.
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