Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen has set his sights on becoming the "Virat Kohli of Indian badminton." The 23-year-old made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first Indian male badminton player to reach the semi-finals.
Although his journey ended in heartbreak with losses in both the semi-final and the bronze medal match, Lakshya remains determined to become one of the most celebrated athletes in his sport, drawing inspiration from cricket icon Virat Kohli.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on sporting action
What did Lakshya Sen say about his admiration for Virat Kohli?
Lakshya Sen has openly expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli, seeing him as a role model both on and off the field. In a recent interview on The Ranveer Show podcast, Lakshya shared his desire to emulate Kohli's success and impact in badminton.
“Why not? I mean, he’s done a lot for Indian cricket. Yes, I want to be the Virat Kohli of Indian badminton in the coming years,” Lakshya stated.
Kohli’s approach to fitness, mental strength, and leadership has left a lasting impression on the young badminton star. By aspiring to reach similar heights, Lakshya is setting a high bar for himself in the world of badminton.
Kohli's journey from a young cricketer to a global sports icon has been marked by relentless hard work and a never-give-up attitude. Lakshya sees this journey as a blueprint for his own career.
Lakshya also spoke about his camaraderie with Tokyo and Paris gold medallist Viktor Axelsen. “He has inspired me a lot, the way he conducts himself on and off the court. I had a two-week training period with him where I got to play and practice with him. These kinds of experiences motivate me to believe that I’m on the right track, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Lakshya added.
Following their match at the Olympics, Viktor Axelsen praised Lakshya for his competitive spirit and predicted a bright future for him. “Lakshya is an amazing player. He has shown in this Olympics that he is a powerful competitor, and I am sure that four years from now, he will be one of the favourites to win the gold. He is an amazing talent and a great guy, and I wish him all the best,” Axelsen said.
