New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, ace Indian shuttler Lakshya Sens promising start at the Paris Olympics 2024 has been overshadowed by a significant rule complication. Sen, competing in the mens singles category, had begun his campaign with a commanding victory over Guatemalas Kevin Cordon, winning in straight sets (21-8, 22-20). However, this initial triumph has been nullified due to an unforeseen regulatory issue.The controversy stems from Cordons unfortunate withdrawal from the tournament after suffering an elbow injury during the match against Sen. According to the General Competition Regulations set forth by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), when a player exits a tournament mid-stage, all their matches—both completed and pending—are declared deleted. Consequently, Cordons withdrawal has resulted in the erasure of his first match from the records, which includes Sens win, thereby stripping him of the single point he had earned. Earlier on Saturday, Lakshya defeated Kevin Cordon 21-8, 22-20 in the Group L match of the ongoing Paris Olympics. Lakshya won in straight sets with the match lasting 42 minutes.Sen must secure victories in both encountersWith Cordons departure, the group has been restructured from a four-player to a three-player configuration. Sens remaining prospects in the tournament now hinge on his performance in the upcoming two matches of Group L. He will face Joel Caraggi of Belgium and Jonatan Christie of Indonesia on July 29 and July 30, respectively. To advance to the knockout stages, Sen must secure victories in both encounters.Will surely impact his strategyThe adjustment to the group structure means that while Caraggi and Christie will each play two matches, Sen is set to play an additional match compared to his rivals. This new setup could significantly impact his strategy and stamina. Jonatan Christie, currently leading the group, has emerged as a formidable competitor, having defeated Caraggi already. As the No. 3 seed and a strong gold medal contender, Christie poses a tough challenge for Sen, who is still seeking his first Olympic medal.Holds title of Commonwealth Games gold medalist in mens singles Sen, who is making his Olympic debut in Paris, has been a standout figure in Indian badminton. He holds the title of Commonwealth Games gold medallist in mens singles and is a bronze medallist from the World Championships. His previous achievements include being part of the historic Indian team that secured the Thomas Cup in 2022 and becoming one of only four Indian men to reach the finals of the All-England Open.
