“As a world champion”: India’s shuttler Lakshya Sen before the Asian Games | Asian Games News

Young star Lakshya Sen said Thomas Cup champions India are the favorites to win the team gold medal at the Asian Games in badminton and he is also nurturing the dream of seeing his compatriot and Olympian Neeraj Chopra during the quadrennial event hold true. Sen, a 2021 World Cup bronze medalist, was one of the architects of India's epic Thomas Cup victory in May last year. He said India is a top contender for gold at the Asian Games. “In any case, the team looks really good.”

“It's the same team that won the Thomas Cup so we're leaving as world champions. I think the players who are playing against us know that it is not easy (to beat India) as we can beat any team in the world,” Sen told PTI.

Sen stressed the need for a joint effort in the Asian Games.

“I don’t think we lack confidence. We have this camaraderie and know how to proceed. All teams are tough and we have to do our best.”

“We will need a good, collective effort to do well there. The entire team is positive and we are hoping for a good result,” Sen said.

The 22-year-old from Almora, who won silver at the 2018 Youth Olympics and gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, will only take part in the team championships at the 19th edition of the showpiece.

“It will be my first experience at the Asian Games. There is a similar atmosphere to the Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympics.”

“So, I am looking forward to the event and will also get an opportunity to meet other Indian and foreign athletes and learn more about their sports and lives,” Senator said.

“At the Commonwealth Games last year, we were there with the TT contingent as it was just us playing from the first to the last day of the tournament. Their games took place in the side hall. So I watched a lot of TT games. I don't have “I don't have time to look at other events,” he said.

Sen, who is currently world No. 1. The No. 11 player missed the singles competition at the Asian Games after losing to Kidambi Srikanth in the selection process in May this year.

Sen hoped that meeting Chopra, who will take part in the javelin throw, in person would benefit him.

“I only play team events. That's why I'm looking forward to meeting Neeraj Chopra. If I have some time, I would like to watch him perform and support him.”

“I've spoken to him before, but never met him in person. So I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

The Indian players, who did not have time for a long training session due to the busy international schedule, are currently honing their skills at a week-long camp in Hyderabad.

“This time there were some big events like China Super 1000 and World Championships that were kind of inevitable.

“But we’ve only recently started competing and it’s the same for everyone. The game preparation is there and it’s just about playing well on the day.”

“It's like a high-pressure tournament, a lot of people in India value the Asian Games. That's why I'm going (to the Asian Games) with full intention and expecting good results,” he said.

Badminton events begin with the team competition on September 28th.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)