Former national chief coach Vimal Kumar is an elated man as Lakshya Sen clinched one of the biggest titles of his nascent career at the Junior Asian Championships in Jakarta on Sunday, July 22.
The 16-year-old created history as he became only the third Indian after Gautam Thakkar in 1965 and PV Sindhu in 2012 to win the continental title.
Vimal, the co-founder of Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru, had never doubted the teenager's ability to succeed at the highest-level and Sen's maiden continental title only reaffirms his belief.
In fact, it was the 55-year-old former national champion who had brought the Almora shuttler to Bengaluru after spotting his talent at a national tournament nearly seven years ago.
Sen had reached the top of BWF boy's singles charts in the past but the recent win in Jakarta comes at an important time as Sen was struggling with injuries.
"It's a creditable achievement for him, beating the top players from Asia — Thailand, China and Indonesia. These are the nations that dominate world badminton. So winning that definitely is good for him," Vimal told International Business Times, India.
"He was also going through a bit of an injury phase. He suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out of action for a few months at the start of the season. So coming back and beating them all was very, very creditable.
"He still has a long way to go. He is on the right track. If he can pursue the sport with the same professionalism, I am sure he will make a name for himself at the international level."
Sen played a total of nine matches over the last week in Jakarta. The junior world number nine dropped only one game en route to the top step of the podium. His victims include world number five Ikhsan Leonardo Rumbay, world number three Li Shifend, and numero uno Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
Sen was at his comfortable best against Vitidsarn in the final, which he won 21-19, 21-18. With a good combination of attack and defence and some smart tactics, the Indian teenager showcased why he is being regarded as one of the best young talents going around.
Sen's positive results have come as a relief for fans in an otherwise underwhelming season for Indian badminton.
The 16-year-old has been in the spotlight ever since he took a game off two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan at New Zealand Open in May. Sen proved the result was not a fluke when he stretched the Super Dan to three games at Thomas Cup, which came a few weeks after his first meeting with the Chinese great.
Sen met Indonesia great Rudy Hartono after the final
The continental glory in Jakarta had helped Sen interact with the former world and Olympic champion Rudy Hartono of Indonesia during the medal ceremony.
"He was looking forward to playing Lin Dan. He has also realised where he stands after the two matches. That's what is more important. He was able to take a game against Lin Dan both the times. But he couldn't sustain the pace." Vimal said.
"The meetings against Lin also helped people recognise the fact that he has the potential to do well at the highest level.
"Yesterday, he met Rudy Hartono after the final. The world great was also Prakash Padukone's idol. Prakash had modelled his game similar to Rudy's. So he met Rudy and Rudy gave him the prizes. He was quite thrilled with all that."
'Small-town guy' is on the 'right track'
The adulation success brings with it is what coach Vimal is wary of. The seasoned campaigner believes the key to making a successful transition from the junior to the senior circuit lies in staying grounded.
Vimal also revealed that Sen is aware of all this and the coaches at PPBA have made it a point to constantly remind the "shy", "small-town" boy about the same.
"He has to remain grounded, not get carried away. Lots of things need to be taken care of. There will be a lot more attention on him," Vimal added.
"How you conduct yourself on and off the court is important. 50% of your work now will be managing yourself. That's is going to determine your future in the sport. You have to be focused and disciplined.
"He has to manage all the adulation that will be coming his way. Apart from training and match practice, these are the factors that will determine his future prospects.
"He knows all those things. We've been telling him. At the moment he is on the right track. He is a small-town guy, he is very shy."
What next for Sen?
Sen will head to two senior-level tournaments in Vietnam and Spain before October's Youth Olympic Games and November's World Junior Championships.
Vimal insists that focus will be given to building Sen's strength at a stage when the teenager is prone to injuries. The former national chief coach also revealed that his ward might play a lot more at the senior level from next year.
"We can't burden a person like that with expectations. What I have been telling is to improve his physique. At this age, he is gaining height and is a little vulnerable to injuries when he pushes himself hard on the court. So he has worked on his strength. Technically, he is quite good," Vimal said.
"Working on his strength is key as he needs to remain injury-free. The good work that he does at this stage of the career will help him build a good base. He should be more focused on this rather than focusing on international rankings, playing many tournaments.
"In November, he has the junior world championships. He has one more in the junior's but since he is doing well in the juniors, maybe we would ask him to focus only on the senior circuit from next year. That is what the plan is."
