Indian badminton coach Prakash Padukone expressed his disappointment over Lakshya Sen's defeat in the men's singles bronze medal match against Lee Zii Jia at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Monday, August 5.
Lakshya Sen was the only medal hope for India after PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out of the Games. Sen had to fight for the bronze medal after losing to eventual Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen in the semifinal.
In the bronze medal match, Lakshya Sen won the opening game but failed to capitalized on it as he lost the next two sets against Malyasian player. In the second game, Sen lost the momentum after he injured his elbow.
Speaking to the reporters after the Lakshya Sen's defeat in the third-place play off, Prakash Padukone stated that it's high time for the players to take responsibility and step up rather than asking more from federations and government.
"All the support and finances needed to perform at the top level were given to the Indian players. It’s not like earlier times when our players lacked facilities and funds. So, it’s high time our players step up and win as expected." Padukone said.
Lakshya Sen had many unforced errors which gave an advantage to Lee Zii Jia to make a comeback into the match after losing the opening match against Indian shuttler. Despite performing well in the group stage and pre-quarters, Sen was not up to his best in the semifinal, where he was defeated in two straight sets by Danish badminton star Viktor Axelsen.
'A little disappointed in our performance': Prakash Padukone
Prakash Padukone is unhappy with Indian badminton contingent returning home without a medal at the Paris Olympics. The medal hopefuls, including PV Sindhu, doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty and Lakshya Sen failed to win any medal at the Summer Games.
The former All England champion urged players to take up the players as he believes that the Government and Federation have done enough to support and provide resources for training.
"I am a little disappointed in our performance that we could not even get a single medal from Badminton. Like I have said before, we were contenders for three medals so at least one would have made me happy." Pradesh said.
"But having said this, this time the Government, Sports Authority of India, and Sports Ministry everybody has done their best and I don't think anyone could have done anything more than what the Government has done so I think the players also need to take responsibility," he added.
In badminton, India have managed to only three medals at the Olympics, one by Saina Nehwal in 2012 and two medals by PV Sindhu in 2016 and 2021.
