Lakshya Sen wins Bronze at the World Junior Badminton
Source: IT News
New Delhi, November 18 2018:
Lakshya Sen, the last Indian hope at the Li Ning BWF World Junior Badminton Championships 2018 at Markham (Canada), could not overcome top-seeded and World Junior No 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand and settled for bronze medal as he bowed out in the men singles semifinals on Saturday night.
The Thai shuttler, who won 20-22, 21-16, 21-13 to enter the final in just 71 minutes, overcame the first game deficit and rallied to defeat the No.4 Indian seed.
The Asian Junior champion began really well but in what was touch-and-go opening game, Lakshya seized the opportunity past midway and sealed the extended game in his favour.
But the Thai came back strongly and getting maximum winners to level 1-1and keep his chances alive.
The Indian, who lacked conviction after losing the second game tamely, was unable to gather himself in the decider as the Thai ran up a good lead and maintained it throughout.
After midway, it had become evident that the No.1 seed, who led by half a dozen points, was making marching into the final with a lot to spare.
Lakshya admitted missing his tempo in the final.
"I could not get into my usual rhythm, though I managed to win the first game.
But he (Kunlavut) was too strong in the second.
I could not play to my strong points and my opponent had all answers to my strokes," said the world No.3 shuttler.
Saurabh Vertma had won bronze in 2011 and after seven years Lakshya won Bronze medal for India.