Paris Olympics: Lakshya Sen aims to be ‘really sharp’ in tough pool at big stage

Lakshya Sen is wary of the tough challenge that lies ahead of him in the Paris Olympics 2024. Set to make his debut at the quadrennial event.

The youngster knows that the pool he is in where the likes of World No.3 Jonatan Christie, World No.41 Kevin Cordon and World No.52 Julien Carraggi feature.

While a player of Lakshya’s calibre is expected to beat Cordon and Carragi, his biggest test lies in the form of Christie, who has made him sweat in their previous meetings. Christie has a 4-1 lead over Lakshya on the head-to-head count.

“Christie has been a tough opponent. All my matches against him have been close. I will be watching those matches, observing the areas I can do better from last time. Simultaneously, I’ll be focussing on my strengths, on how I can control the game and play my best,” Lakshya.

‘Biggest tournament of my life’

Back in 2022, Lakshya won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. But the Olympics is expected to be a different ballgame altogether. The 22-year-old said the Olympics will be the “biggest tournament of my life” until now.

“I have played all of them before. I know what to expect. It is a tough pool. But I would be playing the Belgian and Guatemalan before facing Christie which will help me set up a good match against Christie. I have to be really sharp,” Lakshya said.

“This will be the biggest tournament of my life. Competition will be very tough as everyone will bring their A-game. I have to be at my very best, play well consistently in all matches. But I am really focussed and prepared for the next 2-3 weeks in Paris,” he added.

Prior to the Olympics, Lakshya has been training hard at the Halle des Sports Parsemain in Marseille with the support of his brother Chirag and coach Yoo Yong Sung. On Monday, July 22, he will move to the Games.