Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen has set his sights on becoming the “Virat Kohli of Indian badminton.” The 23-year-old made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first Indian male badminton player to reach the semi-finals.
Although his journey ended in heartbreak with losses in both the semi-final and the bronze medal match, Lakshya remains determined to become one of the most celebrated athletes in his sport, drawing inspiration from cricket icon Virat Kohli.
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What did Lakshya Sen say about his admiration for Virat Kohli?
Lakshya Sen has openly expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli, seeing him as a role model both on and off the field. In a recent interview on The Ranveer Show podcast, Lakshya shared his desire to emulate Kohli’s success and impact in badminton.
“Why not? I mean, he’s done a lot for Indian cricket. Yes, I want to be the Virat Kohli of Indian badminton in the coming years,” Lakshya stated.
Kohli’s approach to fitness, mental strength, and leadership has left a lasting impression on the young badminton star. By aspiring to reach similar heights, Lakshya is setting a high bar for himself in the world of badminton.
Kohli’s journey from a young cricketer to a global sports icon has been marked by relentless hard work and a never-give-up attitude. Lakshya sees this journey as a blueprint for his own career.
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Lakshya also spoke about his camaraderie with Tokyo and Paris gold medallist Viktor Axelsen. “He has inspired me a lot, the way he conducts himself on and off the court. I had a two-week training period with him where I got to play and practice with him. These kinds of experiences motivate me to believe that I’m on the right track, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Lakshya added.
Following their match at the Olympics, Viktor Axelsen praised Lakshya for his competitive spirit and predicted a bright future for him. “Lakshya is an amazing player. He has shown in this Olympics that he is a powerful competitor, and I am sure that four years from now, he will be one of the favourites to win the gold. He is an amazing talent and a great guy, and I wish him all the best,” Axelsen said.
