Lakshya Sen Rethinks Recovery Amidst Demanding Badminton Era

Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen is re-evaluating his recovery and preparation methods due to the escalating physical demands of contemporary men's singles. Sen recently reached the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships for the second time, ultimately finishing as runner-up. He described the experience as emotional, acknowledging a sense of disappointment after narrowly missing out on the title.

Sen, who is 24 years old, noted that his body's recovery speed has changed compared to his early twenties. This realization has led him to implement more conscious dietary habits and prioritize recovery between matches and tournaments. He also mentioned managing past shoulder injuries has made him more cautious about pushing his limits and has shifted his focus towards staying injury-free.

Looking ahead, Sen's primary targets for the season include the Badminton Asia Championships and the BWF World Championships. He plans to collaborate with his team to analyze his All England performance and recent training programs. The focus will be on enhancing his on-court skills, maintaining peak physical condition throughout the demanding season, and strategically planning training weeks.

Additionally, Sen credited mental trainer Mon Brockman for helping him develop a more resilient approach to the pressures of international competition. He has learned to differentiate between major tournaments and smaller events, focusing on learning from losses rather than taking them to heart. This refined mindset is aimed at ensuring peak performance when it matters most in high-stakes matches.