Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted quickly to ace shuttler Lakshya Sen’s remarks on his coach (Prakash Padukone at the Paris Games 2024) during a recent chat with the Paris Olympics-bound Indian contingent.&nbsp;

Padukone, a former badminton veteran, was critical of Lakshya and other players for failing to win the clutch moments during the 2024 Summer Games, with the young shuttler also revealing that the coach took away his phone during the Olympics to reduce distraction.

Lakshya was a certain medal hope for India at the Paris Olympics, but after he lost from the positions he was in - in the semis (against the defending champion Viktor Axelsen) and the bronze medal match against Lee Zii Jia, brought sheer disappointment to him and millions watching on TV worldwide.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics/news-%E2%80%98there-is-no-truth%E2%80%99---manu-bhaker-rubbishes-rumours-of-%E2%80%98potential-relationship%E2%80%99-with-neeraj-chopra-750665">‘There is no truth...’ - Manu Bhaker rubbishes rumours of ‘potential relationship’ with Neeraj Chopra</a>

Despite his failed campaign, where he returned home empty-handed, Lakshya earned quite a name, with countless fans back home applauding the shuttler for his lion-hearted effort at the Games.&nbsp;

Speaking on the same lines, PM Modi first asked Lakshya, “Do you know you have become a celebrity now?”&nbsp;

To which Lakshya replied, “Matches ke time phone Prakash sir ne liya tha aur bola ki matches ke baad hi milega (Prakash sir took away my phone… said won’t get back till matches are done).”&nbsp;

PM Modi quickly replied, “If Prakash sir is so strict, we will send him next time too.”

Meanwhile, speaking on his performance at the Games, Lakshya admitted the results were heartbreaking, but he learned his lessons, and come the next Olympics (LA28), he vows to go one step ahead and win an Olympic medal.

“It was a good learning experience for me. It was heartbreaking as well, I was so close to win a medal. But I will make sure that I will do well in the future,” Lakshya said.

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Honoured to meet our respected Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji on Independence Day! His words of encouragement fuel our passion to make India proud. Grateful for the opportunity to present my racket from Paris Olympic Games. A day to remember with fellow Olympians who have made… <a href="https://t.co/gCam6DDIXv">pic.twitter.com/gCam6DDIXv</a>
— Lakshya Sen (@lakshya_sen) <a href="https://twitter.com/lakshya_sen/status/1824081694732726673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Prakash Padukone critical of players</h2>

Shortly after Lakshya’s bronze medal match, which he lost despite leading the first game, his coach Padukone said the government and the federations are doing enough for the athletes and that it boils down to the players to get the job done on D-day.

“Maybe, you know, the players are not working hard enough. Maybe, it is not enough to get a medal at the Olympics. So you (players) need to work also,” Padukone said.&nbsp;

When asked if pampering has affected the players’ hunger, Prakash said, “Maybe, to some extent. That (pampering) is also required. I hope the players also realise… when you ask for certain things, they also need to deliver. If they don’t deliver, then I think you need to be a little firm. Maybe the federation or the government can be. Let’s be frank.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted quickly to ace shuttler Lakshya Sen’s remarks on his coach (Prakash Padukone at the Paris Games 2024) during a recent chat with the Paris Olympics-bound Indian contingent.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted quickly to ace shuttler Lakshya Sen’s remarks on his coach (Prakash Padukone at the Paris Games 2024) during a recent chat with the Paris Olympics-bound Indian contingent. Padukone, a former badminton veteran, was critical of Lakshya and other players for failing to win the clutch moments during the 2024 Summer Games, with the young shuttler also revealing that the coach took away his phone during the Olympics to reduce distraction. Lakshya was a certain medal hope for India at the Paris Olympics, but after he lost from the positions he was in - in the semis (against the defending champion Viktor Axelsen) and the bronze medal match against Lee Zii Jia, brought sheer disappointment to him and millions watching on TV worldwide. ALSO READ: ‘There is no truth...’ - Manu Bhaker rubbishes rumours of ‘potential relationship’ with Neeraj Chopra Despite his failed campaign, where he returned home empty-handed, Lakshya earned quite a name, with countless fans back home applauding the shuttler for his lion-hearted effort at the Games. Speaking on the same lines, PM Modi first asked Lakshya, “Do you know you have become a celebrity now?” To which Lakshya replied, “Matches ke time phone Prakash sir ne liya tha aur bola ki matches ke baad hi milega (Prakash sir took away my phone… said won’t get back till matches are done).” PM Modi quickly replied, “If Prakash sir is so strict, we will send him next time too.” Meanwhile, speaking on his performance at the Games, Lakshya admitted the results were heartbreaking, but he learned his lessons, and come the next Olympics (LA28), he vows to go one step ahead and win an Olympic medal. “It was a good learning experience for me. It was heartbreaking as well, I was so close to win a medal. But I will make sure that I will do well in the future,” Lakshya said. Honoured to meet our respected Prime Minister @narendramodi ji on Independence Day! His words of encouragement fuel our passion to make India proud. Grateful for the opportunity to present my racket from Paris Olympic Games. A day to remember with fellow Olympians who have made… pic.twitter.com/gCam6DDIXv — Lakshya Sen (@lakshya_sen) August 15, 2024 × Prakash Padukone critical of players Shortly after Lakshya’s bronze medal match, which he lost despite leading the first game, his coach Padukone said the government and the federations are doing enough for the athletes and that it boils down to the players to get the job done on D-day. “Maybe, you know, the players are not working hard enough. Maybe, it is not enough to get a medal at the Olympics. So you (players) need to work also,” Padukone said. When asked if pampering has affected the players’ hunger, Prakash said, “Maybe, to some extent. That (pampering) is also required. I hope the players also realise… when you ask for certain things, they also need to deliver. If they don’t deliver, then I think you need to be a little firm. Maybe the federation or the government can be. Let’s be frank.” (With inputs from agencies)

Paris Olympics: PM Modi’s response to Lakshya Sen’s remarks on his coach - ‘If Prakash sir is so strict...’

Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has backed ex-badminton player Prakash Padukone's comments criticising Lakshya Sen for failing to win an Olympic medal at the Paris Games. Lakshya finished fourth in the men's individual round after losing to Victor Axelsen in semis and Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match.

"Making excuses is where our country will win gold medals every single time, so the debate around his assessment was more about that than looking without tinted glasses at what he said," Gavaskar wrote in his column for sports magazine Sportstar.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics/news-vinesh-phogat-feeling-little-better-but-not-talking-to-anyone-reveal-sources-as-paris-games-verdict-awaited-749689">Vinesh Phogat feeling 'little better' but not talking to anyone, reveal sources as Paris Games verdict awaited</a>

It is to be noted that Lakshya's mentor Padukone had called out the badminton player saying: “Had he lost comfortably, it would have been a different issue. But to have come this far, to have taken the lead…I know he is young, but he cannot give this as an excuse. Take the responsibility and work harder.”

Gavaskar backed Padukone's statements and wrote: "He said that the players today get all the backing and facilities from their Federations and the government too. Therefore, they should take responsibility for their performances too. It was a point well-made and well-articulated too, without pointing fingers at anybody."

"Yet as it invariably happens in our country, which again is a champion at reading between so-called lines and imagining unintended poisoned arrows, we were quick to jump on him and denounce his comments rather than take the time to digest them and then come out with our comparatively uninformed views."

Lakshya, on the other hand, has vowed to come out stronger and win a medal in the next Olympics, scheduled in 2028 in Los Angeles, USA.

"I am determined to reflect on what went wrong and where I need to improve. I sincerely request space and privacy at this time to regroup, come back stronger, and win laurels for India," wrote the history-maker Indian badminton player.

Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has backed ex-badminton player Prakash Padukone's comments criticising Lakshya Sen for failing to win an Olympic medal at the Paris Games.

Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has backed ex-badminton player Prakash Padukone's comments criticising Lakshya Sen for failing to win an Olympic medal at the Paris Games. Lakshya finished fourth in the men's individual round after losing to Victor Axelsen in semis and Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match. "Making excuses is where our country will win gold medals every single time, so the debate around his assessment was more about that than looking without tinted glasses at what he said," Gavaskar wrote in his column for sports magazine Sportstar. Also Read: Vinesh Phogat feeling 'little better' but not talking to anyone, reveal sources as Paris Games verdict awaited It is to be noted that Lakshya's mentor Padukone had called out the badminton player saying: “Had he lost comfortably, it would have been a different issue. But to have come this far, to have taken the lead…I know he is young, but he cannot give this as an excuse. Take the responsibility and work harder.” Gavaskar backed Padukone's statements and wrote: "He said that the players today get all the backing and facilities from their Federations and the government too. Therefore, they should take responsibility for their performances too. It was a point well-made and well-articulated too, without pointing fingers at anybody." "Yet as it invariably happens in our country, which again is a champion at reading between so-called lines and imagining unintended poisoned arrows, we were quick to jump on him and denounce his comments rather than take the time to digest them and then come out with our comparatively uninformed views." Lakshya, on the other hand, has vowed to come out stronger and win a medal in the next Olympics, scheduled in 2028 in Los Angeles, USA. "I am determined to reflect on what went wrong and where I need to improve. I sincerely request space and privacy at this time to regroup, come back stronger, and win laurels for India," wrote the history-maker Indian badminton player.

'We were quick to jump...,' Sunil Gavaskar reacts to Prakash Padukone's criticism of Lakshya Sen

Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone has said it is time for Indian athletes to start taking responsibility for their poor performances at the Olympics. Padukone's comments have sparked a fiery debate on the internet, with many athletes terming Padukone's comments as harsh.

Paris Olympics 2024: Prakash Padukone lays into Indian athletes

India's badminton legend Prakash Padukone, the coach and mentor of the team, stated that it was "high time the players step up and win." Watch to know more!

Paris Olympics 2024: Badminton legend Prakash Padukone criticises 'star culture'

On Monday (Aug 5), Lakshya Sen lost his bronze medal match to Malaysia's&nbsp;Zii Jia Lee at&nbsp;the ongoing&nbsp;Paris Olympics 2024. With this, the Indian badminton squad ended their run in the showpiece event without a medal. After Lakshya's defeat, badminton legend Prakash Padukone reacted to Lakshya's defeat and didn't mince his words. Padukone, who was working&nbsp;as Lakshya's mentor in the Paris Games, said, "...I am a little disappointed that we couldn't get one medal from badminton." He further questioned the shuttlers for their performance, saying they were provided with everything during preparations and, hence, asked players to take responsibility for the results. Now, Ashwini Ponnappa has reacted to Padukone's remark, saying it is unfair to "push the player under the bus"&nbsp;and lashed out at coaches for taking credit only when a player wins medals.

Reacting to Padukone's comments on Instagram, Ponnappa wrote, "Disappointing to see this. If a player wins, everyone jumps on the bandwagon to take credit and if they lose it's just the players' fault ?! Why aren't coaches held responsible for lack of preparation and getting the player ready?"

<img alt="Ashwini defends Lakshya, slams Prakash Padukone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8a83cea5-bc57-4374-a078-dab479cece5d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/download_3.png" />

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics/news-indian-boxer-lovlina-borgohain-says-sorry-to-nation-vows-for-strong-comeback-post-paris-olympics-heartbreak-747653">Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain says SORRY to nation, vows strong comeback post Paris Olympics heartbreak</a>\

She further pointed out, "They are the first ones to take credit for wins, why not take responsibility for their players' losses as well?! At the end of the day, winning takes a team effort and losing is also the team's responsibility. We can't suddenly push the player under the bus and blame it all on the player."

The Indian badminton contingent had a disappointing run in the ongoing Paris Olympics. Despite comprising some big names such as PV Sindhu, Chirag Shetty-Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, HS Prannoy, Lakshya, Ponnappa and more, they returned without a single medal.&nbsp;Talking about Ponnappa, she also fared poorly in the women's doubles and announced Paris 2024 as her Olympic swansong.&nbsp;

On Monday (Aug 5), Lakshya Sen lost his bronze medal match to Malaysia's Zii Jia Lee at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. With this, the Indian badminton squad ended their run in the showpiece event without a medal.

On Monday (Aug 5), Lakshya Sen lost his bronze medal match to Malaysia's Zii Jia Lee at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. With this, the Indian badminton squad ended their run in the showpiece event without a medal. After Lakshya's defeat, badminton legend Prakash Padukone reacted to Lakshya's defeat and didn't mince his words. Padukone, who was working as Lakshya's mentor in the Paris Games, said, "...I am a little disappointed that we couldn't get one medal from badminton." He further questioned the shuttlers for their performance, saying they were provided with everything during preparations and, hence, asked players to take responsibility for the results. Now, Ashwini Ponnappa has reacted to Padukone's remark, saying it is unfair to "push the player under the bus" and lashed out at coaches for taking credit only when a player wins medals. Reacting to Padukone's comments on Instagram, Ponnappa wrote, "Disappointing to see this. If a player wins, everyone jumps on the bandwagon to take credit and if they lose it's just the players' fault ?! Why aren't coaches held responsible for lack of preparation and getting the player ready?" Also read: Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain says SORRY to nation, vows strong comeback post Paris Olympics heartbreak\ She further pointed out, "They are the first ones to take credit for wins, why not take responsibility for their players' losses as well?! At the end of the day, winning takes a team effort and losing is also the team's responsibility. We can't suddenly push the player under the bus and blame it all on the player." The Indian badminton contingent had a disappointing run in the ongoing Paris Olympics. Despite comprising some big names such as PV Sindhu, Chirag Shetty-Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, HS Prannoy, Lakshya, Ponnappa and more, they returned without a single medal. Talking about Ponnappa, she also fared poorly in the women's doubles and announced Paris 2024 as her Olympic swansong.

'Why can't coaches..,' Ponnappa SLAMS Prakash Padukone's take after Lakshya Sen's Paris Olympics debacle

Former India shuttler and Lakshya Sen's mentor Prakash Padukone has slammed the Indian badminton players for not winning a single medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024.

Padukone's comments came on the back of Lakshya's loss in the bronze medal match on Monday (Aug 5) against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia. Lakshya lost 21-13, 16-21, 11-21.

“I and Vimal are not happy with the fourth position of Lakshya (Sen). He could have definitely gotten a medal. I know (Viktor) Axelsen might say that Lakshya is the next best, but that is not good enough because there was a possibility of a medal,” Padukone told reporters after Lakshya's bronze medal loss.

Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/paris-olympics-2024-watch-wrestler-nisha-dahiya-loses-after-serious-right-arm-injury-in-last-30-secs-of-qf-747455">Paris Olympics 2024: Wrestler Nisha Dahiya loses after serious right arm injury in last 30 secs of QF</a>

“Had he lost comfortably, it would have been a different issue. But to have come this far, to have taken the lead…I know he is young, but he cannot give this as an excuse. Take the responsibility and work harder,” Padukone added.

This is the first time India failed to win a medal in badminton since 2012 London Games when Saina Nehwal had won bronze. In 2016 Rio Games and 2021 Tokoyo Games, it was PV Sindhu who won a silver and a bronze, respectively.

Padukone said that the athletes need to introspect and can't ask for more from the federations as they have the best facilities available.

"At least for the results in this Olympics and the previous one, you cannot hold the federations and government responsible for the results. They have all done whatever they can. Ultimately the responsibility is on the players to go an deliver when it matters the most."

“The players need to introspect, and not just keep asking for more from the federations. They need to ask themselves whether they are working hard enough, because all of these players have their own physios and all the facilities. I don’t think any other country, including the US, has so many facilities,” he added.

Despite the loss, Laskhya created history by becoming the first India male badminton player to reach the men's singles semis.

Former India shuttler and Lakshya Sen's mentor Prakash Padukone has slammed the Indian badminton players for not winning a single medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024.

Former India shuttler and Lakshya Sen's mentor Prakash Padukone has slammed the Indian badminton players for not winning a single medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. Padukone's comments came on the back of Lakshya's loss in the bronze medal match on Monday (Aug 5) against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia. Lakshya lost 21-13, 16-21, 11-21. “I and Vimal are not happy with the fourth position of Lakshya (Sen). He could have definitely gotten a medal. I know (Viktor) Axelsen might say that Lakshya is the next best, but that is not good enough because there was a possibility of a medal,” Padukone told reporters after Lakshya's bronze medal loss. Also Watch: Paris Olympics 2024: Wrestler Nisha Dahiya loses after serious right arm injury in last 30 secs of QF “Had he lost comfortably, it would have been a different issue. But to have come this far, to have taken the lead…I know he is young, but he cannot give this as an excuse. Take the responsibility and work harder,” Padukone added. This is the first time India failed to win a medal in badminton since 2012 London Games when Saina Nehwal had won bronze. In 2016 Rio Games and 2021 Tokoyo Games, it was PV Sindhu who won a silver and a bronze, respectively. Padukone said that the athletes need to introspect and can't ask for more from the federations as they have the best facilities available. "At least for the results in this Olympics and the previous one, you cannot hold the federations and government responsible for the results. They have all done whatever they can. Ultimately the responsibility is on the players to go an deliver when it matters the most." “The players need to introspect, and not just keep asking for more from the federations. They need to ask themselves whether they are working hard enough, because all of these players have their own physios and all the facilities. I don’t think any other country, including the US, has so many facilities,” he added. Despite the loss, Laskhya created history by becoming the first India male badminton player to reach the men's singles semis.

Paris Olympics 2024: 'Had he lost...,' Mentor Prakash Padukone slams Lakshya Sen for failing to win medal

From PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen to mixed team's silver: How Indian shuttlers roared and inspired at CWG 2022

Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone had predicted ace Indian shuttler Lakhshya Sen's rise in badminton almost a decade ago. 20-year-old Sen, who has been hailed by many as the future of Indian badminton, recently became only the fifth shuttler from the country to reach the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships.

Sen joined the likes of Padukone, Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal and Prakash Nath in an elite list of Indian players, who have played the final of the world's oldest and most prestigious badminton tournament. Indian badminton great Padukone, who is one of the only two shuttlers from the country to have won the All England title, had foreseen Sen's success.

Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha recently recalled in a Twitter post, how Prakash Padukone once told him that Sen would go on to "conquer the world". Padukone's prediction had come around a decade ago when Sen had moved to his academy in Bengaluru for training.

"A decade back when we started supporting a tiny @lakshya_sen and shifted him to PPBA Bangalore, Prakash Padukone sir told me that one day this boy will conquer the world," &nbsp;Rasquinha wrote in a tweet on Saturday while sharing pictures of a young Sen with Padukone and him at the latter's academy in Bengaluru.

Rasquinha revealed he had laughed off Padukone's prediction at the time but Sen has forced him to change his mind. "I laughed. But he obviously wasn't joking," wrote the former India hockey team captain.

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A decade back when we started supporting a tiny ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/lakshya_sen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lakshya_sen</a>⁩, &amp; shifted him to PPBA Bangalore, Prakash Padukone sir told me that one day this boy will conquer the world. I laughed. But he obviously wasn’t joking. ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/OGQ_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OGQ_India</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/ppbaindia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ppbaindia</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/Sports_PDCSE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sports_PDCSE</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/R8cZyrLv35">pic.twitter.com/R8cZyrLv35</a>
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) <a href="https://twitter.com/virenrasquinha/status/1505206005252063233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/viktor-axelsen-defeats-indias-lakshya-sen-in-final-to-clinch-mens-singles-title-at-all-england-open-2022-464130">Viktor Axelsen defeats India's Lakshya Sen in final to clinch men's singles title at All England Open 2022</a>

Rasquinha is also the CEO of the non-profit organisation Olympic Gold Quest, which was co-founded by Padukone. Olympic Gold Quest is an organisation that aims to identify sporting talents from across India and nurture them to bring glory at the Olympics.

On Sunday, Sen went down fighting against the reigning Olympic champion and world no.1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the men's singles final of the All England Open 2022. Sen lost against Axelsen 10-21 and 15-21 in straight sets but his remarkable show throughout the tournament earned him plaudits from all corners.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/youve-shown-remarkable-grit-pm-modi-lauds-lakshya-sen-for-spirited-fight-in-all-england-open-final-464212">'You've shown remarkable grit': PM Modi lauds Lakshya Sen for spirited fight in All England Open final</a>

The 20-year-old was bidding to become only the third Indian after his mentor Padukone and the legendary Pullela Gopichand to win the prestigious tournament but Axelsen proved too good against him in the final. Nonetheless, the future looks bright for Sen, who has a long career ahead of him and has already stunned some of the best shuttlers in the world with his impressive performances.

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Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone had predicted ace Indian shuttler Lakhshya Sen's rise in badminton almost a decade ago. 20-year-old Sen, who has been hailed by many as the future of Indian badminton, recently became only the fifth shuttler from the country to reach the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships.

Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone had predicted ace Indian shuttler Lakhshya Sen's rise in badminton almost a decade ago. 20-year-old Sen, who has been hailed by many as the future of Indian badminton, recently became only the fifth shuttler from the country to reach the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships. Sen joined the likes of Padukone, Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal and Prakash Nath in an elite list of Indian players, who have played the final of the world's oldest and most prestigious badminton tournament. Indian badminton great Padukone, who is one of the only two shuttlers from the country to have won the All England title, had foreseen Sen's success. Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha recently recalled in a Twitter post, how Prakash Padukone once told him that Sen would go on to "conquer the world". Padukone's prediction had come around a decade ago when Sen had moved to his academy in Bengaluru for training. "A decade back when we started supporting a tiny @lakshya_sen and shifted him to PPBA Bangalore, Prakash Padukone sir told me that one day this boy will conquer the world," Rasquinha wrote in a tweet on Saturday while sharing pictures of a young Sen with Padukone and him at the latter's academy in Bengaluru. Rasquinha revealed he had laughed off Padukone's prediction at the time but Sen has forced him to change his mind. "I laughed. But he obviously wasn't joking," wrote the former India hockey team captain. A decade back when we started supporting a tiny ⁦@lakshya_sen⁩, & shifted him to PPBA Bangalore, Prakash Padukone sir told me that one day this boy will conquer the world. I laughed. But he obviously wasn’t joking. ⁦@OGQ_India⁩ ⁦@ppbaindia⁩ ⁦@Sports_PDCSE⁩ pic.twitter.com/R8cZyrLv35 — Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) March 19, 2022 × Also Read: Viktor Axelsen defeats India's Lakshya Sen in final to clinch men's singles title at All England Open 2022 Rasquinha is also the CEO of the non-profit organisation Olympic Gold Quest, which was co-founded by Padukone. Olympic Gold Quest is an organisation that aims to identify sporting talents from across India and nurture them to bring glory at the Olympics. On Sunday, Sen went down fighting against the reigning Olympic champion and world no.1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the men's singles final of the All England Open 2022. Sen lost against Axelsen 10-21 and 15-21 in straight sets but his remarkable show throughout the tournament earned him plaudits from all corners. Also Read: 'You've shown remarkable grit': PM Modi lauds Lakshya Sen for spirited fight in All England Open final The 20-year-old was bidding to become only the third Indian after his mentor Padukone and the legendary Pullela Gopichand to win the prestigious tournament but Axelsen proved too good against him in the final. Nonetheless, the future looks bright for Sen, who has a long career ahead of him and has already stunned some of the best shuttlers in the world with his impressive performances.

Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone had predicted Lakshya Sen's rise almost a decade ago

Young Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen stunned defending champion Lee Zii Jia from Malaysia in the semi-final of the ongoing All England Open Badminton Championships 2022 to secure a spot in the final of the tournament. The 20-year-old has been enjoying a fabulous run in the tournament and will be looking to script history when he takes the court in the summit clash on Sunday (March 20).

Sen and Jia played out a thrilling contest in the men's singles semi-final on Saturday as the duo gave their all on the court. The Indian shuttler made a good start as he claimed the first set 21-13 before the Malaysian fought back and won the second set 21-12 to take the semi-final into a final deciding set.

Sen produced a remarkable comeback in the third and final set as he held his nerves to clinch it 21-19. It was a brilliant showdown between the duo in the semi-final with Sen emerging on top after a gruelling duel. Sen became only the fifth Indian to enter the final of the prestigious All England Open and also became the fourth Indian male shuttler to achieve the feat.

He joined the likes of Prakash Padukone, Saina Nehwal and Pullela Gopichand among others in an elite list. Here is a look at Indian shuttlers who have made it to the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships.

1947 -&nbsp;Prakash Nath (runner-up)

1980 -&nbsp;Prakash Padukone (champion)

1981 -&nbsp;Prakash Padukone (runner-up)

2001 -&nbsp;Pullela Gopichand (champion)

2015 - Saina Nehwal (runner-up)

2022 - Lakshya Sen

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lakshya-sen-enters-final-of-all-england-championships-after-stunning-lee-zii-jia-of-malaysia-463867">Lakshya Sen enters final of All England Championships after stunning Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia</a>

Sen will be up against Denmark's Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen in the final. Axelsen defeated Chou Tien Chen from Chinese Taipei in straight sets in the semi-final to secure a spot in the final against Sen. Axelsen has reached his fourth straight men's singles final at the All England Open Badminton Championships.

Sen will face a tricky challenge against Axelsen in the final but the 20-year-old will be looking to script history for India in the final. If he manages to beat the Dane, Sen will become only the third Indian after his mentor Padukone and Gopichand to win the tournament.

Saina Nehwal was the last Indian to reach the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships in 2015. She lost against Spain's Carolina Marin in the final.

Young Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen stunned defending champion Lee Zii Jia from Malaysia in the semi-final of the ongoing All England Open Badminton Championships 2022 to secure a spot in the final of the tournament.

Young Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen stunned defending champion Lee Zii Jia from Malaysia in the semi-final of the ongoing All England Open Badminton Championships 2022 to secure a spot in the final of the tournament. The 20-year-old has been enjoying a fabulous run in the tournament and will be looking to script history when he takes the court in the summit clash on Sunday (March 20). Sen and Jia played out a thrilling contest in the men's singles semi-final on Saturday as the duo gave their all on the court. The Indian shuttler made a good start as he claimed the first set 21-13 before the Malaysian fought back and won the second set 21-12 to take the semi-final into a final deciding set. Sen produced a remarkable comeback in the third and final set as he held his nerves to clinch it 21-19. It was a brilliant showdown between the duo in the semi-final with Sen emerging on top after a gruelling duel. Sen became only the fifth Indian to enter the final of the prestigious All England Open and also became the fourth Indian male shuttler to achieve the feat. He joined the likes of Prakash Padukone, Saina Nehwal and Pullela Gopichand among others in an elite list. Here is a look at Indian shuttlers who have made it to the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships. 1947 - Prakash Nath (runner-up) 1980 - Prakash Padukone (champion) 1981 - Prakash Padukone (runner-up) 2001 - Pullela Gopichand (champion) 2015 - Saina Nehwal (runner-up) 2022 - Lakshya Sen Also Read: Lakshya Sen enters final of All England Championships after stunning Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia Sen will be up against Denmark's Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen in the final. Axelsen defeated Chou Tien Chen from Chinese Taipei in straight sets in the semi-final to secure a spot in the final against Sen. Axelsen has reached his fourth straight men's singles final at the All England Open Badminton Championships. Sen will face a tricky challenge against Axelsen in the final but the 20-year-old will be looking to script history for India in the final. If he manages to beat the Dane, Sen will become only the third Indian after his mentor Padukone and Gopichand to win the tournament. Saina Nehwal was the last Indian to reach the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships in 2015. She lost against Spain's Carolina Marin in the final.

Lakshya Sen joins Prakash Padukone, Saina Nehwal in elite list after reaching All England Open final

Lakshya Sen, who won a bronze medal at his first World Championships, has pledged to try for gold next time, even as the young shuttler focuses on the All England Championships and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

On Saturday, the 20-year-old from Almora finished with a bronze medal after losing an incredibly close semifinal 17-21 21-14 21-17 against seasoned compatriot Kidambi Srikanth.

"It has been a long tournament and it is difficult to take such a loss when you are so close. I, at least, got a bronze, but I am not happy. I'm not very satisfied with the performance in the semifinals,"&nbsp;Sen&nbsp;told&nbsp;PTI.

"I played a lot of good matches, faced some tough opponents, even in the semifinal it was a close match, it could have gone in anybody's favour. The medal is something to look forward to... Next time I will go for the gold."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pv-sindhu-kidambi-srikanth-and-lakshya-sen-to-be-top-seeds-in-indian-open-starting-from-january-11-438435">PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen to be top seeds in Indian Open starting from January 11</a>

Sen joined his guru, the legendary Prakash Padukone (bronze in 1983),&nbsp;Kidambi Srikanth (2021) and B Sai Praneeth (bronze in 2019) in the list of male shuttlers from India to have won a medal at the World Championships.

"It is a good thing that in my first world championship, I made it to the semifinals and joined Prakash sir but I am looking forward to winning many more medals and events like him. Especially, I want to win the All England Championships, like him."

"The bronze medal is a big confidence booster for me, it is a stepping stone for future tournaments."

Further talking about the semi-final, Sen said, "It was a close match overall. In the last game, I made few mistakes in the end and he managed to pull out some quick points, which gave him the advantage. I could have done some things better but it was his day."

Sen had some tough matchups this week leading up to the semifinals, with two of the three matches lasting three games or more, including a gruelling quarterfinal against China's Zhao Jun Peng.

"It is hard to recover when you play three setters. The semifinal was also a physical battle. He had an easy quarterfinal compared to me, but it is a game where you have to give your best."

Sen played with a strapped shoulder and a bandaged knee, and he stated he's looking forward to getting all of his niggles worked out during the break.

"I had hurt my knee at Hylo Open when I had dived, there was pain but I managed it well. The shoulder was strapped as a safety measure as we have to play a lot of smashes during the rallies and, in slow conditions, it can be difficult. So I will fix all the niggles during the break."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tendulkar-rijiju-lead-wishes-as-kidambi-srikanth-lakshya-sen-make-india-proud-at-bwf-world-cships-438301">Tendulkar, Rijiju lead wishes as Kidambi Srikanth &amp; Lakshya Sen make India proud at BWF World C'ships</a>

Sen stated that he is eager to return to training in order to prepare for next year's big-ticket tournaments, which include the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

"I'm looking to get back to training after the assured break. The season starts with the India Open and then Syed Modi for me."

"All the big tournaments such as CWG, Asiad, All England are lined up next year and I am looking forward to do well in these events."

Sen broke into the top 20 this year and is now aiming to move into the coveted top ten.

"After this tournament, I am hoping to reach world No. 16 or 17, that would be good thing for me, so next target will be to break into top 10 next year," he signed off.

Lakshya Sen, who won a bronze medal at his first World Championships, has pledged to try for gold next time, even as the young shuttler focuses on the All England Championships and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Lakshya Sen, who won a bronze medal at his first World Championships, has pledged to try for gold next time, even as the young shuttler focuses on the All England Championships and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. On Saturday, the 20-year-old from Almora finished with a bronze medal after losing an incredibly close semifinal 17-21 21-14 21-17 against seasoned compatriot Kidambi Srikanth. "It has been a long tournament and it is difficult to take such a loss when you are so close. I, at least, got a bronze, but I am not happy. I'm not very satisfied with the performance in the semifinals," Sen told PTI. "I played a lot of good matches, faced some tough opponents, even in the semifinal it was a close match, it could have gone in anybody's favour. The medal is something to look forward to... Next time I will go for the gold." ALSO READ: PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen to be top seeds in Indian Open starting from January 11 Sen joined his guru, the legendary Prakash Padukone (bronze in 1983), Kidambi Srikanth (2021) and B Sai Praneeth (bronze in 2019) in the list of male shuttlers from India to have won a medal at the World Championships. "It is a good thing that in my first world championship, I made it to the semifinals and joined Prakash sir but I am looking forward to winning many more medals and events like him. Especially, I want to win the All England Championships, like him." "The bronze medal is a big confidence booster for me, it is a stepping stone for future tournaments." Further talking about the semi-final, Sen said, "It was a close match overall. In the last game, I made few mistakes in the end and he managed to pull out some quick points, which gave him the advantage. I could have done some things better but it was his day." Sen had some tough matchups this week leading up to the semifinals, with two of the three matches lasting three games or more, including a gruelling quarterfinal against China's Zhao Jun Peng. "It is hard to recover when you play three setters. The semifinal was also a physical battle. He had an easy quarterfinal compared to me, but it is a game where you have to give your best." Sen played with a strapped shoulder and a bandaged knee, and he stated he's looking forward to getting all of his niggles worked out during the break. "I had hurt my knee at Hylo Open when I had dived, there was pain but I managed it well. The shoulder was strapped as a safety measure as we have to play a lot of smashes during the rallies and, in slow conditions, it can be difficult. So I will fix all the niggles during the break." ALSO READ: Tendulkar, Rijiju lead wishes as Kidambi Srikanth & Lakshya Sen make India proud at BWF World C'ships Sen stated that he is eager to return to training in order to prepare for next year's big-ticket tournaments, which include the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. "I'm looking to get back to training after the assured break. The season starts with the India Open and then Syed Modi for me." "All the big tournaments such as CWG, Asiad, All England are lined up next year and I am looking forward to do well in these events." Sen broke into the top 20 this year and is now aiming to move into the coveted top ten. "After this tournament, I am hoping to reach world No. 16 or 17, that would be good thing for me, so next target will be to break into top 10 next year," he signed off.

Not satisfied with world championships bronze, next time I will go for the gold: Lakshya Sen

PV Sindhu to Kidambi Srikanth: Indians who have won medals at BWF World Championships

Saina Nehwal and Pusarla Sindhu have raised the bar for Indian badminton but the next generation will struggle to match their success until they improve physically, former All England champion Prakash Padukone said on Tuesday. 
 
Nehwal became the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in badminton with bronze at London 2012 while Sindhu went one better to clinch a silver at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 before adding a bronze in Tokyo this year. 
 
Padukone, who won the All England title in 1980, long before badminton was admitted to the Olympics in 1992, said the duo were more of an exception in women`s badminton in India.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/denmark-open-two-time-olympic-medallist-pv-sindhu-marches-into-next-round-422068">Denmark Open: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu marches into next round</a>

"There is a big gap. That is a fact," the 66-year-old told reporters after launching the Padukone Sports Management badminton coaching programme at the National Sports Club of India in Mumbai. 
 
"I think the standard generally was very low but these two took it to a different level altogether. They`ve raised the bar so high that it seems almost impossible for anyone (to match)." 
 
Padukone said some current Indian players were probably technically on a par with Nehwal and Sindhu but they lagged behind physically. "Both of them were very fit in terms of speed, in terms of fitness, in terms of strength, in terms of power, which none of the other girls have," Padukone said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kidambi-srikanth-sameer-verma-off-to-winning-starts-at-denmark-open-422016">Kidambi Srikanth, Sameer Verma off to winning starts at Denmark Open</a>

"I would probably pick somebody who`s very strong, not technically so sound. It`s easier to train them. If physically you are not that strong you can take them only up to a certain level. Beyond that it becomes difficult because it has become a physical game now." The focus from administrators and coaches is mostly trained on the top layer of players in the country and that needs to change, according to Padukone. 
 
"In the pyramid I`m trying to focus more on the bottom, spread the game wide, have centres all over, widen the possibilities," he said. "So that we have more players at the bottom who over a period of time can come to the top. Chances of producing a champion are much more when the base is larger. That`s what is happening in China, Indonesia and Malaysia."

Saina Nehwal and Pusarla Sindhu have raised the bar for Indian badminton but the next generation will struggle to match their success until they improve physically, former All England champion Prakash Padukone said on Tuesday.

Saina Nehwal and Pusarla Sindhu have raised the bar for Indian badminton but the next generation will struggle to match their success until they improve physically, former All England champion Prakash Padukone said on Tuesday. Nehwal became the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in badminton with bronze at London 2012 while Sindhu went one better to clinch a silver at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 before adding a bronze in Tokyo this year. Padukone, who won the All England title in 1980, long before badminton was admitted to the Olympics in 1992, said the duo were more of an exception in women`s badminton in India. ALSO READ | Denmark Open: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu marches into next round "There is a big gap. That is a fact," the 66-year-old told reporters after launching the Padukone Sports Management badminton coaching programme at the National Sports Club of India in Mumbai. "I think the standard generally was very low but these two took it to a different level altogether. They`ve raised the bar so high that it seems almost impossible for anyone (to match)." Padukone said some current Indian players were probably technically on a par with Nehwal and Sindhu but they lagged behind physically. "Both of them were very fit in terms of speed, in terms of fitness, in terms of strength, in terms of power, which none of the other girls have," Padukone said. ALSO READ | Kidambi Srikanth, Sameer Verma off to winning starts at Denmark Open "I would probably pick somebody who`s very strong, not technically so sound. It`s easier to train them. If physically you are not that strong you can take them only up to a certain level. Beyond that it becomes difficult because it has become a physical game now." The focus from administrators and coaches is mostly trained on the top layer of players in the country and that needs to change, according to Padukone. "In the pyramid I`m trying to focus more on the bottom, spread the game wide, have centres all over, widen the possibilities," he said. "So that we have more players at the bottom who over a period of time can come to the top. Chances of producing a champion are much more when the base is larger. That`s what is happening in China, Indonesia and Malaysia."

India's next generation a long way behind Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, feels Prakash Padukone

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone’s father, veteran badminton player Prakash Padukone has tested positive for COVID-19. He has been admitted to Bengaluru's Mahavir Jain hospital.

Prakash Padukone is expected to get discharged this week.&nbsp;

According to latest reports, Deepika Padukone has also tested positive for COVID-19.

Last month, Deepika and her husband Ranveer Singh flew to Bengaluru to meet her family after the Maharashtra government imposed curfew to combat the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

Deepika's mother Ujjala and sister Anisha Padukone had also tested positive for COVID-19. They are doing fine and are currently at home.&nbsp;

Prakash Padukone who was ranked World No. 1 in 1980, became the first Indian to win the All England Open Badminton Championships in the very same year. He was conferred an Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982.

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone’s father, veteran badminton player Prakash Padukone has tested positive for COVID-19. He has been admitted to Bengaluru's Mahavir Jain hospital.

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone’s father, veteran badminton player Prakash Padukone has tested positive for COVID-19. He has been admitted to Bengaluru's Mahavir Jain hospital. Prakash Padukone is expected to get discharged this week. According to latest reports, Deepika Padukone has also tested positive for COVID-19. Last month, Deepika and her husband Ranveer Singh flew to Bengaluru to meet her family after the Maharashtra government imposed curfew to combat the spread of Coronavirus in the state. Deepika's mother Ujjala and sister Anisha Padukone had also tested positive for COVID-19. They are doing fine and are currently at home. Prakash Padukone who was ranked World No. 1 in 1980, became the first Indian to win the All England Open Badminton Championships in the very same year. He was conferred an Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982.

Deepika Padukone, father Prakash Padukone test COVID-19 positive

India achieved a record haul of 6 medals at the 2012 London Olympics. Leading the country's charge were 2 trailblazers who cemented their status as pioneers of women's sport. Saina Nehwal broke the Chinese monopoly in Women's Badminton by winning the Bronze medal at the games. While Boxing Legend Mary Kom too earned a bronze, which was a defining moment in an already glorious career. Chief coach of the India Badminton team, Pullela Gopichand and Olympic Gold Quest CEO Viren Rasquinha trace the remarkable journey's of these two Sporting Greats in a conversation with Wion Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo.

WION Broadband Olympic Edition: Nehwal & Mary Kom's Olympic high in 2012

Indian Badminton had a rich legacy thanks to the feats of Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand but the cupboard was bare when it came to the women's events. The emergence of Saina Nehwal in 2006 boosted the popularity of the sport and her rise up the World rankings drew an entirely new generation to the sport. Nehwal would cBadap an amazing run as the pioneer of Indian Badminton by winning the Bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and breaking the Chinese monopoly over the event. Gopichand and OGQ CEO Viren Rasquinha look back on Nehwal's journey to the Olympic medal.

WION Broadband Olympic Edition: Saina ends Chinese monopoly at London 2012

Deepika Padukone is the latest Bollywood celebrity to have got her wax figure installed at the prestigious Madame Tussaud's London. The actress along with her husband, actor Ranveer Singh unveiled the statue on Thursday morning in London amid fanfare.

Deepika Padukone is the latest Bollywood celebrity to have got her wax figure installed at the prestigious Madame Tussaud's London. The actress along with her husband, actor Ranveer Singh unveiled the statue on Thursday morning in London amid fanfare. The actress went live from her Instagram handle as she unveiled the statue on Thursday. Deepika's parents and her in-laws were also present at the event making it a family affair. Deepika gave her fans a closer look at the statue on Instagram. View this post on Instagram ❤️ @madametussauds A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Mar 14, 2019 at 4:34am PDT × The actress' wax statue is modeled around her look for the IIFA awards in 2016. A champagne- coloured Sabyasachi Mukherjee creation complete with a net cape, a diamond and emerald necklace around the neck, Deepika's wax statue is just as stunning as her. Here have a close look at what the statue looks like. View this post on Instagram 😝 @madametussauds A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Mar 14, 2019 at 4:34am PDT × View this post on Instagram 🙏🏽 @madametussauds A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Mar 14, 2019 at 4:33am PDT × Earlier during a live session with Facebook, Deepika had spoken about getting waxed. "It's an amazing feeling, to be honest. It's fun and exciting. And in a way, I think I feel a lot of gratitude as well when you give back to your fans," the actress had said. Her husband, Ranveer Singh during the live broadcast could be heard saying, 'Can I take her home?" while Deepika's mother Ujjala Padukone says, "Now I know what it would be like if I had twins!" View this post on Instagram Can I take her home says #ranveersingh 😃 A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) on Mar 14, 2019 at 4:02am PDT × View this post on Instagram #ranveersingh looks amazed to see #deepikapadukone wax statue A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) on Mar 14, 2019 at 3:58am PDT × On the work front, the actress is all set to begin shooting for her next film, 'Chappak' that is being helmed by Meghna Gulzar. Co-starring Vikrant Massey, the film is based on the life of acid-attack survivor Laxmi Aggarwal.

Deepika Padukone unveils her wax statue at Madame Tussauds,Ranveer asks 'Can I take her home?'

A challenging draw stands in the way but India's top shuttlers PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will nonetheless fancy their chances of ending a nearly two-decade-old title jinx at the All England Championship starting Wednesday.&nbsp;

It was Sindhu and Saina's mentor and current chief national coach P Gopichand, who was the last Indian to win the championship back in 2001.&nbsp;

Only the top 32 in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings qualify for the tournament and out of them, only three Indians have been seeded -- the third being Kidambi Srikanth (seeded seventh) in the men's event.&nbsp;

Fifth-seeded Olympic and world championship silver-medallist Sindhu will square off against former world no 2 Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea at the USD one million event.&nbsp;

London Olympics bronze-medallist Saina, seeded eighth, will start her campaign against Scotland's Kristy Gilmour.&nbsp;

The star shuttlers have had contrasting results against their first-round opponents.&nbsp;

While Saina enjoys a 6-0 overall record against Gilmour, Sindhu has been troubled by Sung Ji but leads 8-6 in their previous 14 encounters.&nbsp;

Sung Ji defeated Sindhu twice in three meetings last year and if the Indian can put it past the Korean, she will run into either Russian Evgeniya Kosetskaya or Hong Kong's Cheung Ngan Yi in the second round.&nbsp;

A favourable result will then pit Sindhu against third-seeded Chinese youngster, Chen Yufei in the quarterfinals.&nbsp;

The Indian had lost to Chen at the 2018 China Open and will be wary of the Chinese despite enjoying a 4-3 head-to-head record.&nbsp;

"Each round will be comparatively tough. Each point is important to me.&nbsp;

I am playing Sung Ji Hyun in the first round and it would be important for me to focus from the first round," said the 23-year-old, who had reached the semifinals in the last edition.&nbsp;

While Sindhu has been in red-hot form last season, claiming silver medals at all major events, former world no. 1 Saina remains the only Indian to come close to winning the prestigious title, finishing runners-up in 2015.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The seasoned Hyderabadi enjoyed a good start to the year, winning the title at the Indonesia Masters in January and getting the better of Sindhu in the national finals to claim the crown.&nbsp;

Saina, who turns 29 on March 17, will face either Denmark's Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt or China's Cai Yanyan if she happens to win the first round.&nbsp;

While Saina has an edge over the Dane, she has never faced the 19-year-old Chinese player before.&nbsp;

The vastly experienced Indian is expected to cross at least the second round and is likely to face her nemesis Tai Tzu Ying, against whom she has lost 12 consecutive times.&nbsp;

The Chinese Taipei shuttler enjoys an overall head-to-head record of 14-5 against Saina.&nbsp;

In the men's event, Srikanth will take on Frenchman Brice Leverdez in the opening round while an in-form Sameer Verma will start against former world champion and world no.1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.&nbsp;

After a poor 2018, Srikanth had a decent outing in Malaysia and Indonesia, reaching the quarterfinals. He would look to find his best form during the week.&nbsp;

Sameer, who had reached the knockout stage of the World Tour Finals, will be playing his first BWF event of the season.&nbsp;

Among others, B Sai Praneeth and HS Prannoy will face each other in the opening round.&nbsp;

While Praneeth would be hungry to put his Senior Nationals' disappointment behind him, Prannoy has been battling with a breathing problem triggered by a Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD). He would be eager to put on a good show before leaving for his medical treatment in the US.&nbsp;

Chief coach Gopichand has already pinned his hopes on Saina, Sindhu and Srikanth. He feels the trio has what it takes to end the country's 18-year wait for the prestigious trophy.&nbsp;

"We have had good performances from Saina, Sindhu and Srikanth has also been in good form. I do expect that we will have a good performance at this year's All-England," Gopichand had said last month.&nbsp;

Three-time world champion Carolina Marin, who is undergoing physiotherapy after rupturing the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in her right knee during the Indonesia Masters final, will be also among the ones to watch out for in the singles' draw.&nbsp;

In women's doubles, Ashwini Ponnapa &amp; N Sikki Reddy will play the seventh-seeded Japanese pair Shiho Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto, while Meghana Jakkampudi and Poorvisha S Ram will square off against Russia's Ekaterina Bolotova and Alina Davletova.&nbsp;

In men's doubles, former National champion Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy will face China's Ou Xuanyi and Ren Xiangyu in the first round.&nbsp;

A challenging draw stands in the way but India's top shuttlers PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will nonetheless fancy their chances of ending a nearly two-decade-old title jinx at the All England Championship starting Wednesday.

A challenging draw stands in the way but India's top shuttlers PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will nonetheless fancy their chances of ending a nearly two-decade-old title jinx at the All England Championship starting Wednesday. It was Sindhu and Saina's mentor and current chief national coach P Gopichand, who was the last Indian to win the championship back in 2001. Only the top 32 in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings qualify for the tournament and out of them, only three Indians have been seeded -- the third being Kidambi Srikanth (seeded seventh) in the men's event. Fifth-seeded Olympic and world championship silver-medallist Sindhu will square off against former world no 2 Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea at the USD one million event. London Olympics bronze-medallist Saina, seeded eighth, will start her campaign against Scotland's Kristy Gilmour. The star shuttlers have had contrasting results against their first-round opponents. While Saina enjoys a 6-0 overall record against Gilmour, Sindhu has been troubled by Sung Ji but leads 8-6 in their previous 14 encounters. Sung Ji defeated Sindhu twice in three meetings last year and if the Indian can put it past the Korean, she will run into either Russian Evgeniya Kosetskaya or Hong Kong's Cheung Ngan Yi in the second round. A favourable result will then pit Sindhu against third-seeded Chinese youngster, Chen Yufei in the quarterfinals. The Indian had lost to Chen at the 2018 China Open and will be wary of the Chinese despite enjoying a 4-3 head-to-head record. "Each round will be comparatively tough. Each point is important to me. I am playing Sung Ji Hyun in the first round and it would be important for me to focus from the first round," said the 23-year-old, who had reached the semifinals in the last edition. While Sindhu has been in red-hot form last season, claiming silver medals at all major events, former world no. 1 Saina remains the only Indian to come close to winning the prestigious title, finishing runners-up in 2015. The seasoned Hyderabadi enjoyed a good start to the year, winning the title at the Indonesia Masters in January and getting the better of Sindhu in the national finals to claim the crown. Saina, who turns 29 on March 17, will face either Denmark's Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt or China's Cai Yanyan if she happens to win the first round. While Saina has an edge over the Dane, she has never faced the 19-year-old Chinese player before. The vastly experienced Indian is expected to cross at least the second round and is likely to face her nemesis Tai Tzu Ying, against whom she has lost 12 consecutive times. The Chinese Taipei shuttler enjoys an overall head-to-head record of 14-5 against Saina. In the men's event, Srikanth will take on Frenchman Brice Leverdez in the opening round while an in-form Sameer Verma will start against former world champion and world no.1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark. After a poor 2018, Srikanth had a decent outing in Malaysia and Indonesia, reaching the quarterfinals. He would look to find his best form during the week. Sameer, who had reached the knockout stage of the World Tour Finals, will be playing his first BWF event of the season. Among others, B Sai Praneeth and HS Prannoy will face each other in the opening round. While Praneeth would be hungry to put his Senior Nationals' disappointment behind him, Prannoy has been battling with a breathing problem triggered by a Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD). He would be eager to put on a good show before leaving for his medical treatment in the US. Chief coach Gopichand has already pinned his hopes on Saina, Sindhu and Srikanth. He feels the trio has what it takes to end the country's 18-year wait for the prestigious trophy. "We have had good performances from Saina, Sindhu and Srikanth has also been in good form. I do expect that we will have a good performance at this year's All-England," Gopichand had said last month. Three-time world champion Carolina Marin, who is undergoing physiotherapy after rupturing the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in her right knee during the Indonesia Masters final, will be also among the ones to watch out for in the singles' draw. In women's doubles, Ashwini Ponnapa & N Sikki Reddy will play the seventh-seeded Japanese pair Shiho Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto, while Meghana Jakkampudi and Poorvisha S Ram will square off against Russia's Ekaterina Bolotova and Alina Davletova. In men's doubles, former National champion Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy will face China's Ou Xuanyi and Ren Xiangyu in the first round.

All England Championship: PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal aim to break 18-year-old jinx

Deepika Padukone took to her Instagram profile to wish her badminton ace father Prakash Padukone, a happy birthday on June 10.&nbsp;

Sharing a beautiful throwback picture of the father-daughter duo, Deepika wrote: “to the kindest, purest, most gentle soul I’ve ever known....Happy Birthday Pappa!❤️”

In the photo, a toddler Deepika sits cosily on her father’s lap as she leans her head on one side and poses with father for a photo. The photo will make all the 80s, 90s kids nostalgic as the photo has a yellow tinge -- a particular quality of a photo on a reel. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-ranveer-singh-thinks-anushka-sharma-is-a-better-actor-than-deepika-padukone-132499">Also read:&nbsp;Ranveer Singh thinks Anushka Sharma is a better actor than Deepika Padukone</a>

See the photo here:&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj2WWGiBL6e/" style=" color:#000 font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">to the kindest,purest,most gentle soul I’ve ever known....Happy Birthday Pappa!❤️</a>

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Recently, Deepika’s Instagram account came to news as she is currently<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-deepika-padukone-priyanka-chopra--neck-to-neck-on-instagram-142267"> neck-to-neck with Priyanka Chopra’s followers</a> on the photo-sharing medium.

Also, there has been news of Deepika out <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-in-pictures-deepika-padukone-spotted-jewellery-shopping-with-mom-fuels-wedding-rumours-142939">shopping with mother Ujjwala</a>, spotted outside jewellery showrooms sparking rumours that the mother-daughter duo is prepping for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-deepika-padukone-and-ranveer-singh-to-marry-on-november-19th-139482">Deepika’s wedding</a> that is speculated to happen by end of this year.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Deepika wished her father with a sweet message on Instagram

Deepika Padukone took to her Instagram profile to wish her badminton ace father Prakash Padukone, a happy birthday on June 10. Sharing a beautiful throwback picture of the father-daughter duo, Deepika wrote: “to the kindest, purest, most gentle soul I’ve ever known....Happy Birthday Pappa!❤️” In the photo, a toddler Deepika sits cosily on her father’s lap as she leans her head on one side and poses with father for a photo. The photo will make all the 80s, 90s kids nostalgic as the photo has a yellow tinge -- a particular quality of a photo on a reel. Also read: Ranveer Singh thinks Anushka Sharma is a better actor than Deepika Padukone See the photo here: to the kindest,purest,most gentle soul I’ve ever known....Happy Birthday Pappa!❤️ A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jun 10, 2018 at 8:29am PDT × Recently, Deepika’s Instagram account came to news as she is currently neck-to-neck with Priyanka Chopra’s followers on the photo-sharing medium. Also, there has been news of Deepika out shopping with mother Ujjwala, spotted outside jewellery showrooms sparking rumours that the mother-daughter duo is prepping for Deepika’s wedding that is speculated to happen by end of this year.

You can't miss this cute throwback picture of Deepika Padukone with father Prakash Padukone!

Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal is better equipped to win a medal in Rio in August than she was when she claimed a bronze at the London Olympics four years ago, according to former All England champion Prakash Padukone. 
 
Hopes that the former world number one can turn bronze into a first Olympic gold medal in the sport for her country were raised when Nehwal won the 2016 Australian Superseries title. 
 
Rio will mark a third Olympics for Nehwal, who beat former world champions Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand and Wang Yihan before overpowering China&#39;s Sun Yu in the final in Sydney. 
 
&quot;Saina has a lot more variety now,&quot; former men&#39;s world number one Padukone said in an interview. &quot;I think she plays a lot more at the net now. Earlier her game was more or less predictable. She had a few strokes, she used to keep playing them and there were not many variations. Now she has developed a lot more strokes, specially at the net. She is much more confident and that has made a big difference.&quot; 
 
The victory in Australia came at just the right time for Nehwal, who had failed to reach a World Superseries final since last November in China, and was returning from an Achilles injury she sustained at the end of last year. 
 
Padukone, who won the All England title in 1980 long before badminton was admitted to the Olympics in 1992, said the 26-year-old&#39;s game just needed a bit of tweaking. 
 
&quot;Tactically she can do a little bit more. Maybe a plan A and plan B, which I&#39;m sure she already has,&quot; said Padukone. &quot;Maybe if something doesn&#39;t work, then she has to have a different plan. It&#39;s just the question of a little bit of polishing. She definitely has everything otherwise she wouldn&#39;t have been where she is.&quot; 
 
China has long been the dominant force in the sport, sweeping all five titles at London four years ago, but their shuttlers no longer top the world rankings heading to Rio. While Malaysian Lee Chong Wei tops the men&#39;s singles rankings, Carolina Marin of Spain leads the women&#39;s list with Nehwal in sixth place. 
 
World Badminton has also limited each nation to two singles entrants in each event, down from the three at London and previous Games. Padukone feels that makes a Chinese sweep of badminton gold in Rio less likely. 
 
&quot;They are no longer the dominating force going by the results we have seen in the last 12 to 24 months,&quot; Padukone said. &quot;Earlier when the draw used to come, everybody used to hope there are no Chinese. That&#39;s no longer the case, that fear is not there anymore. That&#39;s good for the game. For the Indians, though they wouldn&#39;t say it, but it used to be a mind-block.&quot; 
 
India&#39;s best chance of medals will come in the women&#39;s singles, Padukone said, where as well as Nehwal they have PV Sindhu ranked 10th in the world. 
 
Padukone said the most important thing for the Indian shuttlers was to peak during the Rio Games. 
 
&quot;When you go there it doesn&#39;t matter if in the last two months you have beaten all the top players and you have been the world number one,&quot; Padukone said. &quot;It&#39;s important that you reach the peak and play your best during that particular week. That&#39;s what will count ultimately and will be the key.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Padukone, who won the All England title in 1980, said the 26-year-old's game just needed a bit of tweaking

Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal is better equipped to win a medal in Rio in August than she was when she claimed a bronze at the London Olympics four years ago, according to former All England champion Prakash Padukone. Hopes that the former world number one can turn bronze into a first Olympic gold medal in the sport for her country were raised when Nehwal won the 2016 Australian Superseries title. Rio will mark a third Olympics for Nehwal, who beat former world champions Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand and Wang Yihan before overpowering China's Sun Yu in the final in Sydney. "Saina has a lot more variety now," former men's world number one Padukone said in an interview. "I think she plays a lot more at the net now. Earlier her game was more or less predictable. She had a few strokes, she used to keep playing them and there were not many variations. Now she has developed a lot more strokes, specially at the net. She is much more confident and that has made a big difference." The victory in Australia came at just the right time for Nehwal, who had failed to reach a World Superseries final since last November in China, and was returning from an Achilles injury she sustained at the end of last year. Padukone, who won the All England title in 1980 long before badminton was admitted to the Olympics in 1992, said the 26-year-old's game just needed a bit of tweaking. "Tactically she can do a little bit more. Maybe a plan A and plan B, which I'm sure she already has," said Padukone. "Maybe if something doesn't work, then she has to have a different plan. It's just the question of a little bit of polishing. She definitely has everything otherwise she wouldn't have been where she is." China has long been the dominant force in the sport, sweeping all five titles at London four years ago, but their shuttlers no longer top the world rankings heading to Rio. While Malaysian Lee Chong Wei tops the men's singles rankings, Carolina Marin of Spain leads the women's list with Nehwal in sixth place. World Badminton has also limited each nation to two singles entrants in each event, down from the three at London and previous Games. Padukone feels that makes a Chinese sweep of badminton gold in Rio less likely. "They are no longer the dominating force going by the results we have seen in the last 12 to 24 months," Padukone said. "Earlier when the draw used to come, everybody used to hope there are no Chinese. That's no longer the case, that fear is not there anymore. That's good for the game. For the Indians, though they wouldn't say it, but it used to be a mind-block." India's best chance of medals will come in the women's singles, Padukone said, where as well as Nehwal they have PV Sindhu ranked 10th in the world. Padukone said the most important thing for the Indian shuttlers was to peak during the Rio Games. "When you go there it doesn't matter if in the last two months you have beaten all the top players and you have been the world number one," Padukone said. "It's important that you reach the peak and play your best during that particular week. That's what will count ultimately and will be the key." (Reuters)

Former badminton great Padukone pins Olympic medal hopes on India's Saina Nehwal