Paris Olympics 2024: A Mixed Bag for India’s Badminton Contingent

For the India’s badminton squad, the Paris Olympics 2024 proved to be an emotional journey that ended with a heartbreaking conclusion. Expecting to add more medals to their badminton collection, the Indian team encountered a difficult competition and, for the first time since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, went home empty-handed. The competition brought to light both the advantages and disadvantages of India’s badminton on the international front, despite a few outstanding performances and close encounters.

Lakshya Sen’s Agonizing Near-Miss

Lakshya Sen, the young and talented shuttler, was the most heartbroken Indian fan as he failed to medal in the men’s singles competition. Sen, who had been in fantastic form the entire competition, got off to a quick start against the defending Olympic champion from Denmark, Viktor Axelsen, in the semi-finals. Sen led the match early on, but he could not sustain his lead and ultimately gave the match to the dominant Danish player.

There was still more disappointment to come. Sen took on Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia in the bronze medal match, which at first appeared to be going Sen’s way. Sen looked to be headed for a podium finish after taking the opening game and led the second 8-3. However, Lee Zii Jia staged a remarkable comeback, scoring eight consecutive points and ultimately winning the match. Sen’s near-miss was a painful reminder of the fine margins that can define success or failure at the highest level.

PV Sindhu’s Struggles in Paris

One of the most renowned athletes in India and a two-time Olympian, PV Sindhu, was aiming for an unprecedented third straight Olympic medal. But when Sindhu met China’s He Bing Jiao in the quarterfinals, her trip to Paris came to an end. Given that Sindhu had defeated Bing Jiao in Tokyo 2020 to win a bronze medal, the setback was especially disheartening.

Injuries plagued Sindhu’s run-up to the Olympics in Paris, including a stress fracture in her ankle that kept her out of action for a considerable amount of time. She tried her hardest, but she could not regain the form that had made her a formidable competitor in past Olympics. Sindhu’s early exit marked the end of an era, as she had been a consistent medal contender for India in the past two Olympic Games.

The Fall of the Satwik-Chirag Duo

In the men’s doubles competition, where the world-class duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were predicted to win a medal, there may have been the biggest upset of the tournament. The pair, who had been playing brilliantly before the Olympics, were ranked third and were seen to be serious prospects for a podium place. However, Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik upset their hopes in the quarterfinals.

The Indian duo showed great promise early in the match, controlling the first game with their forceful play and deft attacking shots. However, things quickly changed as the Malaysians rallied to win the following two games, eliminating Satwik and Chirag from the competition. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Indian badminton fans, as the pair had been one of the country’s best hopes for a medal.

The news that Satwik and Chirag’s coach, Mathias Boe, had decided to retire from coaching following the defeat only served to heighten the disappointment. The duo’s ascent to notoriety was mostly due to Boe, who won a silver medal in the London Olympics. With his departure, an important chapter in Indian badminton history came to an end.

HS Prannoy’s Gritty Performance

Another strong competitor for India in the men’s singles category, HS Prannoy, persevered admirably throughout his bouts but was eventually unable to secure a medal. Prannoy’s fight with Chikungunya plagued his trip to Paris, leaving him with little time to train for the competition. Despite this, Prannoy won his group and went on to play his countryman Lakshya Sen in the round of 16.

Sen prevailed in a fiercely contested battle, putting an end to Prannoy’s campaign. Although Prannoy’s performance was admirable considering the situation, it brought attention to the difficulties Indian athletes confront in continuing to perform at their best in the run-up to important competitions.

The Struggles of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto

The 19th-ranked women’s doubles pair in the world, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, was also not happy in Paris. Despite defeating Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly to qualify for the Olympics, the two were unable to go past the group stage. Their aspirations of going far in the event were dashed when they lost in straight sets against Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu of Australia.

Conclusion

For Indian badminton, the Paris Olympics 2024 was a difficult competition packed with missed opportunities and unrealized promise. Even if the squad had moments of brilliance, the fact that they didn’t win any gold made it clear that reflection and a renewed emphasis on planning and strategy were required. Indian badminton will need to recuperate after the Paris Games and return stronger for upcoming tournaments.

FAQ

1. In the Paris Olympics of 2024, why did India’s badminton team fail to bring home any medals?

India’s badminton squad lost close games in important matches due to injury and difficult competition.

2. What was Lakshya Sen’s performance?

Despite having a great start, Lakshya Sen lost to Viktor Axelsen in the semifinals and subsequently to Lee Zii Jia in the bronze match.

3. What was the outcome for PV Sindhu?

PV Sindhu’s quest for a third Olympic medal came to an end as she lost to China’s He Bing Jiao in the quarterfinals.

4. What became to Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy?

The men’s doubles team from Malaysia, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, shockingly eliminated them in the quarterfinals.

5. How does this affect badminton in India?

Although the performance was disappointing, it does show that future tournaments will require better planning and assistance.