Lakshay wins 2 silver medals in badminton tournament

Anil Datt

Advertisement

Ludhiana, July 29

Lakshay Sharma, a city-based badminton prodigy, continues to be the cynosure of all eyes in this part of the country. He has been on a winning spree, adding one after another feather to his cap.

After proving his mettle at all platforms in the field of badminton in domestic and international competitions during the last five years, Lakshay (13) now has made waves at the All-India Ranking Tournament.

Lakshay, a student of Class IX at Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, bagged two silver medals in the U-15 section in the Yonex-Sunrise All-India Sub-Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament held at Imphal in Manipur from July 21 to 27.

In this prize money tournament, around 400 players competed in the singles category in the U-15 group and Lakshay secured runners-up trophy. He also finished at second place in the doubles group.

In the singles (quarterfinals), Lakshay scripted a stunning victory over Lokesh Reddy, India ranked three from Telangana. Lakshay raced to win in straight sets 21-17 and 21-16 to advance into the last stage.

Lakshay faced another ranked player in the semi final wherein he overpowered ranked 5, Dev Maheshwari from Uttar Pradesh whom he tamed in the three games 17-21, 21-19 and 21-11.

In the final, Lakshay fought a spirited battle against Raghav from Haryana before losing it 21-14, 14-21 and 18-21 and had to content with the runners-up trophy.

In the doubles’ final, Lakshay, in partnership of Tonmoy Bikash Boruah from Assam went down fighting against Ankit Mondal from West Bengal and Lokesh Reddy 17-21, 14-21.

Trainee of his father, Mangat Rai Sharma, an NIS qualified coach and former national coach, Lakshay is the first shuttler from Punjab to win two medals (singles and doubles) in the All-India Ranking Badminton Tournament.

The outstanding achievement by Lakshay Sharma has been appreciated by his school authorities and the Punjab Badminton Association (PBA).

Sister Reshmi, Principal of Sacred Heart Convent School, and Rajinder Kalsi, general secretary, PBA, lauded Lakshay for bringing fame to the city and the state. They wished him success in the All-India Sub-Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament to be held at Guwahati from July 29 to August 4.