Vimal Kumar on Lakshya Sen’s All England Open Performance: ‘Resilience the Biggest Positive’ Lakshya Sen’s performance at the All England Open, despite a final defeat to Lin Chun-Yi, highlighted his resilience and determination, according to his mentor Vimal Kumar. Kumar praised Sen’s ability to fight for every point during the tournament, even when physical fatigue and slower movements hindered his usual pace. “What impressed me the most was his intent—he kept digging in and fighting for every point,” Kumar said, emphasizing that this resilience became the defining trait of Sen’s game during the event. Sen’s semifinal victory over Victor Lai showcased his fighting spirit, but the final against Lin Chun-Yi proved challenging. Kumar noted that muscle fatigue limited Sen’s ability to deliver his powerful smashes in the later stages of the match, though he defended exceptionally well against one of the world’s most aggressive players. “It’s a tough loss, but a very brave effort,” Kumar remarked, acknowledging Sen’s opportunity to take the second game but ultimately falling short. The loss comes after a difficult period for Sen at the Paris Olympics, where he missed out on a medal after being in a winning position. His father and first coach, DK Sen, shared the emotional impact of that moment, calling it “the most painful moment for us.” However, they expressed faith in Sen’s eventual success, stating, “We believe in God and he decides when to give and what to give. We are still waiting for that moment.” Kumar credited Sen’s strong support team for helping him recover from the Olympic setback. The Korean coach, along with a dedicated physio, trainer, strength and conditioning specialist, and consistent guidance from his father, played a crucial role in Sen’s resurgence.#all_england_open #lakshya_sen #vimal_kumar #dk_sen #pullela_gopichand
All England Open: A Heartbreaking Loss with a Silver Lining That Gives Hope Lakshya Sen’s remarkable journey at the All England Open Badminton Championships came to an end in heartbreaking fashion on March 8, 2026, as the Indian shuttler fell to Taiwan’s Lin Chun-Yi in the men’s singles final. The loss marked another close call for Lakshya, who had already faced disappointment in the 2022 final against then World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen. Despite delivering one of his most impressive performances of the year, the 24-year-old could not secure the title, extending India’s wait for an All England men’s singles champion beyond two decades. The tournament, held in Birmingham, England, saw Lakshya overcome a grueling schedule and physical challenges to reach the final. Entering the summit clash, he had already navigated a challenging path through the draw, defeating top-ranked players and overcoming fatigue, blisters, and cramps. His run included a stunning upset of World No. 1 Shi Yuqi, a gritty comeback against Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus, a tactically sound victory over China’s Li Shifeng, and a marathon semifinal against Canada’s Victor Lai. Each match tested his endurance and mental resilience, culminating in a final that left him narrowly short of history. Lakshya’s journey began with a dramatic opening-round clash against Shi Yuqi, where he pulled off a thrilling 23-21, 19-21, 21-17 victory. The match, lasting 78 minutes, showcased his ability to exploit Yuqi’s weaknesses, using deceptive wristwork and late changes of direction to disrupt the world champion’s rhythm. Yuqi later admitted he was not at his physical best, citing limited preparation for the tournament. The second round brought another formidable challenge in the form of Ng Ka Long Angus, who had a 3-0 head-to-head record against Lakshya.#all_england_open #lakshya_sen #lin_chun_yi #shiyuqi #victor_lai
