Lakshya Sen wins Bronze at the World Jr Badminton

New Delhi: Lakshya Sen, the last Indian hope at the Li Ning BWF World Junior Badminton Championships 2018 at Markham (Canada), could not overcome top-seeded and World Junior No 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand and settled for bronze medal as he bowed out in the men singles semifinals on Saturday night.

The Thai shuttler, who won 20-22, 21-16, 21-13 to enter the final in just 71 minutes, overcame the first game deficit and rallied to defeat the No. 4 Indian seed.

The Asian Junior champion began really well but in what was touch-and-go opening game, Lakshya seized the opportunity past midway and sealed the extended game in his favour. 

But the Thai came back strongly and getting maximum winners to level 1-1and keep his chances alive. The Indian, who lacked conviction after losing the second game tamely, was unable to gather himself in the decider as the Thai ran up a good lead and maintained it throughout. 

After midway, it had become evident that the No. 1 seed, who led by half a dozen points, was making marching into the final with a lot to spare.

Lakshya admitted missing his tempo in the final. “I could not get into my usual rhythm, though I managed to win the first game. 

But he (Kunlavut) was too strong in the second. I could not play to my strong points and my opponent had all answers to my strokes,” said the world No. 3 shuttler.  

Saurabh Vertma had won bronze in 2011 and after seven years Lakshya won Bronze medal for India.