Lakshya Sen Reaches All England Open Final for Second Time

Lakshya Sen Enters All England Badminton Final, Joins Prakash Padukone Record

Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen produced a determined performance to reach the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships , marking the second time in his career that he has entered the title clash of the historic competition. The 24-year-old defeated Canada’s Victor Lai in a gripping semifinal, strengthening his position among the leading badminton players in the world. Sen had earlier reached the tournament final in 2022 , making him only the second Indian to achieve this milestone twice.

Intense Semifinal Encounter

The semifinal match lasted 1 hour and 37 minutes , highlighting the endurance and tactical ability of both players. Lakshya Sen secured victory with a score of 21–16, 18–21, 21–15 . The contest featured several long rallies, many extending beyond 50 shots , demonstrating the high level of stamina and technical skill required at this stage of the competition. In the opening game, the score remained tight until 17–16 before Sen accelerated to claim four consecutive points and secure the game.

Battling Injury and Pressure

During the match, Sen faced additional difficulty due to painful blisters on his right toe. Despite the physical discomfort, he maintained composure and continued executing strategic shots. Victor Lai responded strongly in the second game, taking an early advantage and eventually forcing the match into a deciding third game. In the final game, Sen adopted a patient and calculated attacking strategy, building a 15–9 lead before closing the match with four straight points.

Joining an Elite Indian Record

With this achievement, Sen joins legendary Indian badminton player Prakash Padukone in a rare record. Padukone reached the All England final in 1980 and 1981 , winning the title in 1980. Sen’s second final appearance highlights India’s growing influence in international badminton under the Badminton World Federation circuit.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• All England Open: One of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in badminton.

• Lakshya Sen: Reached the All England final in 2022 and 2026 .

• Prakash Padukone: First Indian to win the All England title in 1980 .

• Tournament is part of the BWF World Tour .

• Sen defeated Victor Lai in the semifinal with a 21-16, 18-21, 21-15 scoreline.