Youngster Lakshya Sen in a conversation with PM Modi, talked about the strict coaching methods of Prakash Padukone during Olympics 2024. Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen revealed that badminton head coach Prakash Padukone had taken his phone away in order to minimize distractions and was told that he would be getting it back once his debut Olympic campaign was done.
“Prakash sir took away my phone. ” He said that I won’t get back till matches are done,” Sen said after the PM asked him about becoming a nationwide celebrity. “If Prakash sir is so strict, will send him next time too,” PM Modi replied.
Sen narrowly missed out on a place on the podium in his maiden Olympic campaign in Paris, finishing fourth in the men’s singles competition. It was a good learning experience for me. It was heartbreaking as well I was so close to win a medal. But I will make sure that I will do well in the future,” Sen added during the felicitation program.
Lakshya Sen & Prakash Padukone controversy
In the Olympics, Lakshya Sen had won five matches on the trot, defeating compatriot HS Prannoy along the way, to storm into the semi-finals, only to finish fourth after suffering back-to-back defeats at the business end of his campaign.
Coach Padukone, one of India’s greatest badminton players of all time who had won the All England Championship in 1980, later slammed the Indian badminton contingent for failing to win a single medal despite being a medal contender in three categories.
