Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: That’s a wrap

It may have ended in heartbreak, but Lakshya Sen has given us countless moments to enjoy during the Paris Olympics 2024.

Goodbye!

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Double heartbreak for India today

And, as many of you may know by now, India were playing two bronze medal matches simultaneously, both of which have ended without a medal.

A word of appreciation for Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Maheshwari Chauhan, who have finished fourth in the shooting mixed team skeet event at Paris 2024.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: India’s best men’s singles finish

To celebrate the highs, this is the best-ever showing by a male Indian badminton player at the Olympics men’s singles. Lakshya Sen became the first man to reach the semis, beating Parupalli Kashyap and Kidami Srikanth who went till the quarters.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Plenty of positives

It’s important to remember that Lakshya Sen enjoyed sizeable leads over Axelsen during both games of the semi-final, as well as a lead in the bronze medal match.

The fact that he could not close the games out will sting him, but he has certainly proven himself to be a worthy competitor.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lakshya’s first Olympics

Don’t forget, this is Lakshya’s very first appearance at the Olympics. He has been India’s brightest light in a tournament where the country’s two biggest badminton hopes failed to fire.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: What a tournament it has been

Lakshya Sen has fully established himself as a rising star in the world of badminton. Viktor Axelsen admitted that he would be a medal contender in future Olympics, and this is a great trailer for the future, if that proves to be the case.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: “Blood was on the floor”

Post the loss, Lakshya Sen has spoken about the fact that there was blood on the floor during the match at one point, which needed to be cleaned up. That could’ve been a point when Lakshya lost his momentum.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: India’s streak ends

This also confirms that India will not win a badminton medal in Paris, a sport that has brought so much to celebrate for the nation for 12 years.

After early exits for PV Sindhu and Satwik-Chirag, Lakshya really gave the nation a real reason to smile.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lakshya Sen, take a bow!

This is a tournament for Lakshya Sen that deserves to be celebrated. He won his first five games, he took Viktor Axelsen the distance in the semi, and he led for so long against Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal game.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Congratulations to Lee Zii Jia!

The 26-year-old Malaysian world no. 7 recovered from a sloppy first game to come roaring back and win the match. He even trailed 8-3 in the second game, and it seemed like bronze for Lakshya was right around the corner. But Lee stayed strong, resilient and improved his game with each point.

Congratulations to Lee Zii Jia for clinching bronze in the badminton men’s singles event at Paris 2024.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lakshya Sen loses

Lakshya Sen’s Paris Olympics 2024 ends in heartbreak. Battling discomfort on his right arm, Lakshya could not capitalize after winning the first game. 

He leaves Paris without a medal, but this is certainly a breakout tournament for the 22-year-old.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 20-11, match point to Lee

Lee has nine match points now. Lakshya’s shot goes wide, and Lee Zii Jia is on the cusp of an Olympic medal.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 19-11

Lakshya trying to take the positive from each point he gains, but Lee is in the driving seat to clinch bronze.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 19-10

Lee needs just 2 more points for the bronze in the men’s singles at Paris 2024. This is a heartbreaking end to the event for Lakshya.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lakshya hanging on, 16-10

Two more points for Lakshya Sen. He will need to make a monumental comeback, but he keeps his hopes alive.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lee 5 points away from bronze

Lakshya Sen is winning the odd point, but Lee Zii Jia is maintaining his dominance. It is 16-8 now in favour of the Malaysia, and he is just five points away from denying Lakshya the medal he desired.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lakshya trails by 8 points

The game is getting further and further away from Lakshya at the moment. He seems helpless against Lee.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lee leads at halfway mark

Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia is ahead in the halfway mark of the deciding set. He leads 11-6, a big gap in the context of the game. Lakshya Sen may be battling an injury that is hindering his performance, but he is continuing to play. 

But as of now, a bronze medal seems to be slipping out of his hands.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Great point for Lakshya

The 22-year-old with a smash of conviction to win the point. 10-6.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: More injury scares?

Yet more delay as Lakshya Sen continues to receive treatment on the sidelines. Another bandage being wrapped around his right arm. 

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 10-5 to Lee

Another long, battling rally between Lee Zii Jia and Lakshya Sen, ending in a point for the Malaysian. He holds a crucial 5-point lead in the deciding third game in the bronze medal match.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 9-5!

Another point for Lakshya. These points are keeping him in the game. Lakshya is refusing to give up.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lakshya gets another point!

Can that be the start of an unlikely Lakshya Sen comeback? He has now won two points in a row. A long rally ends with a point for the Indian.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lakshya judges wrong

Whether it is fatigue or the arm injury, Lakshya Sen’s game has taken a dip. He fails to judge a return on time, and manages a poor effort which Lee punishes.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 8-2

Lee Zii Jia keeps a number of Lakshya’s smashes alive, and then delivers the sucker-punch. Six-point gap between the two now.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Medal dream slipping away

Lee leads 7-2 now, and Lakshya looks evidently incapable of being able to match his opponent’s brute force at the moment.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Arm woes continue

Lakshya Sen’s right arm continues to give him discomfort. Yet more treatment being given to the 22-year-old. We’re unsure how much it is affecting Lakshya, but his tempo has decreased since the first game.

6-2 lead for Lee.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lee on the front foot

Lee has upped his tempo massively. Lakshya is firmly on the back foot now, and will need to somehow inspire himself and regain his first game form. 4-2.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 3-1

Lakshya Sen pulls back one point, but Lee with another ferocious return beyond Lakshya. 3-1 to the Malaysian world no. 7.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Third set underway

A smashing start for Lee Zii Jia to the third game. Powerful return wins him the first point of the third and final game.

Lee doubles down to win the next point. Not the ideal start for Lakshya.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: We’re heading to a decider

Exceptional comeback from Lee Zii Jia, he takes the second game 21-16. Lakshya Sen was leading 8-3 at one stage, but the Malaysian upped his game to win nine points in a row and gain control of the set.

The Paris Olympics 2024 badminton men’s singles bronze will be decided in the final game.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 4 game points for Lee

Lee leads 20-16 in the second game, and the result for this is surely a formality now.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lakshya is injured

Lakshya seems to have picked up an injury on his right arm, and it is being bandaged right now.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lee two points away from taking game 2

Lakshya Sen trailing 16-19 now. Lee showing incredible resilience and desire to fight back in the second game. Looks like we’re heading to the final game to decide who wins bronze!

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: Lakshya not giving up

Brilliant intent from the 22-year-old. He doubles down and forces the point through. Lee gains back a point, and it becomes 18-15.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 16-14

Lakshya is within reach of Lee in the second game, but the Malaysian has been much more error-free this time. 

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 15-13 to Lee

Lee maintaining a slender advantage. Crunch situation in a crucial second game. Lee needs to win this to stay alive in the bronze medal match.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 14-12 to Lee

Lee wins back two more points, to retake the lead of the second game. 

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 12-12, Lakshya draws level

Lakshya Sen is back on level terms. He is not letting go of that bronze, not just yet. A brilliant smash to equalize.

Lakshya Sen Olympics LIVE: 12-11

And there we go! Three points in a row. Lakshya Sen hoping to mount a comeback now. This is turning out to be some second game!