Indian star badminton player Lakshya Sen will have the opportunity once again to win an Olympic medal at Paris Olympics 2024. After engaging in a nail-biter of a semifinal against the reigning Olympic champion and top seed Viktor Axelsen, Sen lost 20-22, 14-21, and now faces off in the bronze medal match against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia on Monday, 5th August 2024, at the Adidas Arena.
Determined to Make History
Even with this setback, Lakshya Sen remains keen to become the first-ever Indian men’s singles shuttler to win an Olympic badminton medal and only the third Indian overall to finish on the podium. His opponent in this event, Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia, also lost his semi-final encounter with the world champion, Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, in straight games 14-21, 15-21.
Head-to-head Advantage
Historically, Lakshya Sen has held sway over Lee Zii Jia with a 4-1 win-loss record between them. All matches between them have been riveting and tightly fought. Indeed, Sen went on to win their last fight in the All England Open 2024 quarterfinals in an intriguingly tightly contested match, 20-22, 21-16, 21-19.
Recap of Their Last Five Meetings
| LAKSHYA SEN VS LEE ZII JIA- LAST FIVE MEETINGS | |||
| Tournament | Round | Winner | Score |
| All England Open 2024 | Quarterfinal | Lakshya Sen | 20-22, 21-16, 21-19 |
| Indonesia Open 2023 | Round of 32 | Lakshya Sen | 21-17, 21-13 |
| Thomas Cup 2022 | Quarterfinal | Lee Zii Jia | 21-23, 9-21 |
| All England Open 2022 | Semifinal | Lakshya Sen | 21-13, 12-21, 21-19 |
| India International Series 2016 | First Round | Lakshya Sen | 11-13, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6 |
1. India International Series (2016)
Sen won that first ever clash on the junior circuit 4-0, though the format of the match was 11 points per set as opposed to the current norm.
2. All England Open 2022 Semi-Final
Sen won an intense contest 21-13, 12-21, 21-19 to become the first Indian men’s singles player since Pullela Gopichand in 2001 to make it to the All England Open semi-finals.
3. Thomas Cup 2022 Quarter-Final
He alone lost to Lee Zii Jia, Sen (21-23, 9-21), when he struggled with his form during the competition.
4. Indonesia Open 2023 Round of 32
Both players were struggling for form, but Sen won (21-17, 21-13).
5. All England Open 2024 Quarter-Final
The exciting battle saw Sen pip Lee Zii Jia at the post (20-22, 21-16, 21-19).
Looking Ahead to the Bronze Medal Match
With a 4-1 head-to-head advantage over Sen, he will go into the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024 quite confidently. While Lee Zii Jia will come back hard at him and make it a great contest, the Indian shuttler will also draw confidence from the two previous victories against Lee and will come into the bronze medal match brimmed with confidence to script history for Indian badminton at the Paris Olympics 2024.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
