Shuttler Lakshya Sen wins Asia Junior Championship
Indian shuttler, Lakshya Sen, won the Badminton Asia Junior Championships on Sunday at Jakarta. Sen defeated reigning world junior champion, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, of Indonesia in straight games 21-19, 21-18, in 46 minutes, to win the title. He is the third Indian ever to lay his hands on this prestigious title, which was earlier won by PV Sindhu in 2012.
How did the match unfold?
Kunlavut Vitidsarn was the world number one Junior Champion as he came on to face Sen, whose was seeded sixth. Sen was in stunning form as he rounded up the match in straight games with the scoreboard reading 21-19 21-18 to his favor. With this win, Sen became the first Indian in 53 years to win gold in the men's singles event.
Sen's road to glory
Sen's road to the final was beset with hurdles. He had to defeat some tough opponents on his way to the title final. The quarter-final saw him getting the better of second seeded China's Li Shifeng with the score of 21-14, 21-12. Sen's form continued as he defeated 4th seed Ikhsan Rumbay in the semis.
Indians at this event
Even though, Sen is the second person ever to win gold in the men's singles category, India have won a few medals at the Badminton Open Junior Championship over the years. Gautam Thakkar won the gold in 1965, followed by a bronze win by Pranav Chopra and Prajakta Sawant (2009). Sindhu won the gold (2012) with Sameer Verma grabbing the silver in 2011.
