Lakshya Sen and Manu Bhaker Shine as Indian Athletes Continue Strong Showing at Paris Olympics

Indian badminton ace Lakshya Sen defeated Guatemala's Kevin Cordon, while shooter Manu Bhaker qualified for the Women's 10m Air Pistol final at the Paris Olympics. With a strong start in various disciplines, India aims to surpass its medal tally from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Indian badminton sensation Lakshya Sen clinched victory over Guatemala's Kevin Cordon with a 21-8, 22-20 win in their Group L match at the ongoing Paris Olympics. The match, which lasted 42 minutes, saw Sen dominate the first game and then mount a stunning comeback in the second to secure the win.

Sen's sizzling start came with a 21-8 win in just 14 minutes. Although Cordon gained a commanding lead in the second game and had four game points, Sen's resilience shone through as he won six points in a row to close out the match. Looking ahead, Sen is set to face Belgium's Julien Carraggi on July 29.

The Indian contingent comprises 117 athletes competing in 16 disciplines. The Olympics, running from July 26 to August 11, see India striving to eclipse its seven-medal haul from the Tokyo 2020 Games, which included a gold, two silver, and four bronze medals. Earlier, shooter Manu Bhaker excelled in the Women's 10m Air Pistol qualification, securing third place to advance to the final. Meanwhile, fellow Indian shooters Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Cheema missed the cut in the men's 10m air pistol competition.

(With inputs from agencies.)