In dian badminton star Lakshya Sen shared that head coach Prakash Padukone confiscated his phone during the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024. Padukone used this tactic to minimise distractions and was told Sen would get it back after his debut Olympic campaign was done.
The 22-year-old shared the incident during the felicitation of the Indian Olympic contingent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day. Sen also shared that he was disappointed in narrowly missing out on a first-ever Olympic medal by a male shuttler.
Prakash sir used to take away my phone: Lakshya Sen
Responding to the Prime Minister, Sen said, “Prakash sir used to take away my phone during matches. He told me until the match ends I won’t get my phone. My learning experience was good but it was also heartbreaking since I lost out at the last moment. I will do better next time.” PM Modi reacted to this statement by saying, “If Prakash sir is so strict, will send him next time too.”
This was my first Olympics and my experience was very good: Sen
Further speaking about his experience of competing at his maiden Olympics, Lakshya Sen expressed, “The matches were long from the very first day. My focus was always on the matches. Whenever we had free time we went for dinner together. We met many athletes there from whom we learnt a lot, we also shared a dining room with them which is a big thing.”
“The atmosphere was also good. This was my first Olympics and my experience was very good. Like, the crowd inside such a big stadium made me nervous for the first two matches. But gradually, I adapted,” he further continued.