Get, set, go(ld): Lakshya Sen on carrying his family's legacy through badminton

The Olympics are a symbol of athletic excellence, uniting some of the world's top athletes to compete globally. Every four years, the games captivate millions, highlighting victory, defeat, sportsmanship, and unity. In anticipation of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Cosmo India spoke to Indian athletes for insights into their journeys as they prepare to take centre stage.

Indian badminton player, Lakshya Sen hails from a family filled with badminton lovers; his dad is a coach, while his grandfather and brother are players. Sen made a name for himself on the international circuit after recently qualifying for the Paris Olympics 2024 as well. In an interview with Cosmo India, Sen shares his journey in the world of sports, what it's like to come from a family of badminton enthusiasts, and more. 

Cosmopolitan India: Who were your early influences when it came to badminton?

Lakshya Sen: My father is a badminton coach (DK Sen); my grandfather was a badminton player; and my brother (Chirag Sen) plays too. I got introduced to the sport at home. When I was about five-years-old, I started training regularly with my dad. Later, when I was 10, I joined the Prakash Padukone Academy. To be able to play and compete in some of the biggest tournaments in the world has been amazing. I always dreamed of playing in those arenas, and for my country.

C: What has been your process, mentally, to bring out your best performance?

LS: We were introduced to mental training at the academy when we were very young. We had a full-time psychologist working with us. Back then I didn’t know the importance of mental training. When we did it consistently for two to three years, we realised that the results were a lot better. When you have someone to speak to, it is always helpful. Prakash sir used to say that ‘no problem is a small problem’. If you address it, and you get better by 1 per cent, it is an improvement. I’ve had a great team around me to always guide me through rough phases.

C: Do you think passion is enough to keep you going? What do you do on the days when you do not feel like showing up for training?

LS: It is hard at times to be motivated. I don’t really like to take breaks unless required but the coaches know when to stop. Our training sessions are planned in a way that there are fun elements so that you are mentally at your best. When I am not in it 100 per cent, the team knows when to back off. Of course, there are days when you feel lazy, but that is really when you have to push even harder. I have never thought that I’m doing too much or burning myself out. It’s just pure passion.

C: What is the first thing you do, instinctively, when you win a match?

LS: During our last tournament (Thomas Cup, 2024) we were playing a team event. Once you win your match, it’s important for you to pass on that energy to the dugout, where you celebrate and show the rest of the team that it is okay, you’re still there. Then, once you win or lose, you reflect on where you went wrong and then you focus on the next match. After a tournament, if we win, we celebrate for a day or two and we get back to training.

C: How do you deal with failures or losing a match?

LS: I think every athlete loses more than they win. You learn a lot from situations where you’re not at your best. Personally, I don’t take wins or losses so much that it affects my confidence or my preparation for the next match.

C: Your father and Prakash Padukone have had a huge influence on who you are. What has been the best advice that you’ve received?

LS: I remember when I first started training, Prakash sir told me to be professional and disciplined when it comes to the sport and life in general. I was told to treat the sport right. That is one thing that has stayed with me. I am still trying to get better at it every day.

C: What has been the most difficult challenge for you to overcome so far?

LS: Injuries. When you’re away from the sport you love and the doctor says you can’t play for the next three months—I think that is the most difficult part. I have had a couple of injuries in the past. I had to train myself to stick in there, and complete rehab properly so that I could heal and start playing again.

C: You’ve had a few tough phases in the lead up to the Olympics qualification. Take us through that experience.

LS: Yes, it was quite a challenging qualification period. It was my first ever Olympic qualification cycle and when it started, I was doing well. I had a few good tournaments under my belt with the Canada Open (Lakshya won in July 2023) and then the Japan Open semifinal (July 2023). But when I was playing the Hong Kong Open (September 2023), I injured my back. It took me out for three weeks and I lost momentum. I had six or seven first round exits until January this year. I was under a lot of pressure to perform well. It was also partly because I wasn’t playing the tournament—I was only thinking about the qualification. So, before the European circuit this year, I spoke to Prakash sir who told me “Just try and win a single tournament rather than going to 10 different places and reaching the quarterfinals.” So, I started taking it one tournament at a time. During the European circuit, I started playing well. I reached the semifinals at the French Open (March 2024) and All England Open Badminton Championship (March 2024). That sealed the qualification for me.

C: How do you deal with pre-game nervousness? Do you have a routine that you follow before a match?

LS: I usually listen to music. The evening or morning before a match, I speak to the coaches about strategy or a game plan. A few hours before a game, I just spend time with myself. Even my family doesn’t call me before the match. I also practise some visualisation before the match.

C: What has been your proudest moment yet?

LS: I am still very young...it’s yet to come. I’m looking forward to this Olympics. I really want to go out there, perform my best, and get the best result for my country.

This interview is part of a series that appeared in Cosmopolitan India, May-June 2024 print edition.

Lead Image Credit: Jnanesh Salian

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