Lakshya Sen All England Open: Focus on ‘One Match at a Time’ Key to Silver Medal Run | Badminton News

BIRMINGHAM, England – Lakshya Sen says he approached the All England Open Badminton Championships with a focused, match-by-match mindset, a psychological discipline that helped him navigate a challenging draw and the weight of expectation as one of India’s leading badminton hopefuls. The 24-year-old returned from Birmingham with a silver medal, falling to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi 21-15, 22-20 in a hard-fought men’s singles final on March 8, 2026.

Sen’s performance at the Utilita Arena continues a strong run for Indian badminton, echoing the legacy of Prakash Padukone, who reached the All England final in both 1980 and 1981, winning the title in his first appearance. The tournament holds significant weight for Indian fans, with Padukone and Pullela Gopichand previously claiming the prestigious championship.

Speaking after the final, Sen addressed the question of whether representing a nation with such a rich badminton tradition adds undue pressure. “I was focusing on one match at a time,” Sen explained at a virtual press conference. “I wasn’t thinking about the draw or who I might face next. Whenever I stepped on the court, my only focus was on my match.”

This year’s campaign represented a mental evolution for Sen compared to his breakthrough run to the 2022 All England final. While he enjoyed a more carefree approach in 2022, he felt significantly better prepared to handle the pressure cooker atmosphere of the later stages of the tournament this time around. “When I played the final at All England in 2022, I was enjoying the moment and playing without expectations,” Sen said. “But this time, when I reached the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final, I was better prepared in terms of how to handle and play such pressure matches. This time, I had the belief that I could win, but in 2022, it was a bit different, as I was just trying to see how far I could go.”

Sen’s path to the final included impressive victories over top seeds Shi Yu Qi and Li Shifeng, as well as a grueling 97-minute semifinal win against Canada’s Victor Lai. However, the physical toll of that semifinal proved significant. Reflecting on the final, Sen admitted the match against Lai had a lasting impact. “The semifinal I played took a toll on my body, especially since I was cramping during the match. I did everything I could to recover and come back strong for the final. The cramping in the semifinal made it challenging to get back to 100 percent the next day. During and after the match, my muscles were under a lot of fatigue,” he added.

Despite the disappointment of the final result, Sen remained optimistic, emphasizing the positive takeaways from the tournament. “It has been a good week but similarly an emotional one,” Sen stated. “I made it to the finals but didn’t manage to win the match, so I’m a little disheartened. However, when I look back at the tournament and the way I played throughout the matches, there are many positives that I can grab into the upcoming tournaments. The confidence this tournament has given me will definitely help me in the future.”

Sen’s silver medal continues India’s wait for an All England Open champion since Pullela Gopichand’s victory in 2001. The 24-year-old’s consistent performance and growing maturity suggest he remains a strong contender to break that drought in the years to come. His current world ranking stands at 12 as of March 3, 2026, according to available data, and he will undoubtedly be a key figure for India at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

The All England Open, steeped in history and considered one of the most prestigious tournaments in badminton, once again delivered thrilling competition and showcased the rising stars of the sport. Lin Chun-Yi’s victory marked a historic moment, as he became the first player from Chinese Taipei to win the championship.

Lakshya Sen will now turn his attention to preparing for future tournaments, carrying the lessons learned from his All England experience and aiming to build on his impressive form. His next confirmed competition has not been publicly announced as of March 10, 2026, but fans can follow official updates from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for his upcoming schedule.

What are your thoughts on Lakshya Sen’s performance? Share your comments below and let us know what you consider his chances are at the Paris Olympics!