Manila: PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, and Lakshya Sen, a world championship bronze medalist, will spearhead India’s campaign at the Badminton Asia Championships, which begin on Tuesday. The prestige of the race, however, will be tarnished by the absence of injured HS Prannoy, who had won bronze at the 2018 Wuhan edition.
While Prannoy will be unable to compete due to a “minor injury” experienced while competing in the Swiss Open final, it will be a fantastic opportunity for All England silver medalist Sen.
The 20-year-old from Almora has had a fantastic season, winning the India Open Super 500 and reaching the finals of the German Open and the All England Championships. Sen also won a bronze medal in the 2020 Asian team Championships, as well as gold and bronze medals at the 2018 and 2016 Asian Junior Championships.
The fifth-seeded Indian will be hungry to win a medal in the senior event, but he will have his work cut out for him in the first round, where he will play China’s Li Shi Feng, a two-time world junior champion.
Meanwhile, the World No. 7 Indian will be hoping to win another medal when she competes against Pai Yu Po of Chinese Taipei.
