“Going As World Champions”: India Shuttler Lakshya Sen Ahead Of Asian Games

Young star Lakshya Sen stated India, the Thomas Cup champions, are favourites to win the Asian Games males’s staff gold in badminton, and he’s additionally nourishing the dream of assembly compatriot and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra through the quadrennial occasion. Sen, a 2021 world championships bronze medallist, was one of many architects of India’s epic Thomas Cup victory in May final 12 months. He stated India will likely be a high contender for the gold at Asian Games. “Definitely, the team is looking really good.”

“It is the same team that won the Thomas Cup, so we are going as world champions. I think the players who are playing against us know that it is not easy (to defeat India), as we can beat any team in the world,” Sen instructed PTI.

Sen underlined the necessity for a collective effort on the Asian Games.

“I don’t think we lack confidence. We have this camaraderie, and we know how to go about it. All the teams are tough and we have to give our best.

“We will want , collective effort to do properly there. The entire staff is optimistic and we hope for end result,” Sen said.

The 22-year-old from Almora, who won a silver at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and a gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, will be playing only the team championships at the 19th edition of the showpiece.

“It will likely be my first expertise on the Asian Games. It is the same sort of ambiance, just like the Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics.

“So I am looking forward to the event and also I will be getting a chance to meet other Indian and foreign athletes, and learn about their sports and life,” stated Sen.

“In the Commonwealth Games last year, we were there with the TT contingent, as only we played from the first to last day of the tournament. Their matches were in next hall. So, I watched a lot of TT matches. I didn’t have time to see other events,” he stated.

Sen, who’s at the moment ranked world no. 11, missed the person occasion on the Asian Games after he misplaced to Kidambi Srikanth within the choice trials in May this 12 months.

Sen hoped that it’s going to give him some to satisfy Chopra, who will likely be competing within the javelin throw, in particular person.

“I’m only playing team event. So, I look forward to meeting Neeraj Chopra. If I get some time, I would love to go and watch him perform and support him.

“I’ve spoken to him earlier than however by no means met him in particular person. So, I’m actually trying ahead to that,” he said.

The Indian players, who didn’t get time to have a long training session due to busy international schedule, are currently honing their skills in a week-long camp in Hyderabad.

“This time there have been some massive occasions like China tremendous 1000 and World Championships, which had been sort of unavoidable.

“But we have been competing very recently and it is the same for everyone. The match preparation is there and it is all about playing well on the day.

“It is sort of a massive stress event, lots of people in India give significance to Asian Games. So, I’m going (to the Asian Games) with my full intention and anticipating good outcomes,” he said.

Badminton events will start with the team competition on September 28.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)