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Lakshya Sen's Gritty All England Run Wins Hearts, Says Abhinav Bindra

Lakshya Sen finished as runner-up at the All England Open, losing to Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei in the men's singles final. Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra praised Sen's journey, highlighting his courage, resilience, and belief displayed throughout the tournament. Bindra emphasized that Sen's story inspires young athletes by showing that greatness lies in honest effort and the dignity of the fight, not just winning. Despite the loss, Sen's performance, including over five hours on court in earlier rounds, cemented his status as a top contender.

Key Points: Bindra Praises Lakshya Sen's Resilience in All England Final Loss

  • Sen lost final to Lin Chun-Yi
  • Bindra praised courage and resilience
  • Story about more than the result
  • Lesson for next generation
  • Sen's second All England final
2 min read

'Not every inspiring sporting story ends with a trophy': Bindra hails Lakshya Sen's All England runners-up run

Abhinav Bindra hails Lakshya Sen's courage after his All England Open runners-up finish, calling it an inspiring story beyond trophies.

"Not every inspiring sporting story ends with a trophy. - Abhinav Bindra"

New Delhi, March 9

Even in defeat, Lakshya Sen has captured admiration across the sporting world, earning praise from Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra for his resilience at the All England Open 2026.

Sen went down 21-15, 22-20 to Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei in the men's singles final, settling for a silver medal. Despite the loss, Bindra highlighted the qualities Sen displayed on the court.

"Not every inspiring sporting story ends with a trophy. Over the last few days, Lakshya Sen has shown India what courage, resilience and belief truly look like," Bindra wrote on X.

Bindra's tribute underscored that Sen's journey was about more than the scoreline. "His run to another All England final, through extraordinary wins and immense physical pain, has been about far more than a result," he said, praising the 24-year-old for his grit and determination.

The Olympic champion also emphasised the lesson Sen provides to the next generation of Indian athletes: "He has reminded young India that greatness lies not only in winning, but in the honesty of effort, the dignity of the fight and the strength to keep believing."

Concluding his post, Bindra expressed his personal pride in Sen, saying, "I am Proud of you, @lakshya_sen. Very, very proud."

Sen spent over five hours on court in the earlier rounds and faced a tough challenge against the lightning-fast Lin. He started slowly in the first game, struggling with the depth of his lifts and tosses, allowing Lin to seize control and take the opening game.

In the second game, Sen raised his tempo, winning six consecutive points from 3-4 to lead 9-4. However, Lin gradually clawed back, engaging Sen in long rallies and ultimately converting his second match point to clinch the title. Lin became the first men's singles player from Chinese Taipei to win the prestigious tournament.

This marked Sen's second All England final appearance after 2022, highlighting his skill, determination, and resilience despite falling just short of the trophy.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So much respect for Lakshya. Playing over five hours in earlier rounds and still pushing Lin to 22-20 in the second set shows incredible fitness and heart. The silver is a huge achievement. Onwards and upwards! 🏸
R
Rohit P
While I appreciate the sentiment, we also need to be honest. We celebrate 'brave losses' a bit too much. At the elite level, converting these finals into gold is crucial. Hope Lakshya and his team work on that final step. The talent is undeniable.
M
Meera T
Coming from an Olympic champion like Bindra, this praise means the world. It sets the right example for young athletes—sportsmanship and effort are as important as medals. Lakshya is a true role model. 💪
D
David E
Watching from the UK, the level of play was exceptional. Lin was just a bit sharper on the day. But Sen's fighting spirit was incredible. India should be very proud of having such a consistent performer at the All England.
S
Sneha F
His story is so inspiring! From the hills of Uttarakhand to the All England final twice. That's the real trophy—showing millions of kids in small towns that they can dream big. Jai Hind, Lakshya!

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