Another feat by badminton prodigy Lakshay

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, August 14

Badminton prodigy Lakshay Sharma gave another stupendous performance when he wrapped up two gold medals while Arnam Jain annexed one gold and a silver medal in the Sub-Junior Punjab State Ranking Badminton Tournament held in Jalandhar on August 12.

Lakshay (12), a student of Class VIII at the Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, participated in the U-15 category and clinched the titles in the singles as well as the doubles categories.

In the singles’ semifinal, Lakhsay proved too good for his opponent, Ankit Soni from Jalandhar, whom he tamed in straight sets 21-9, 21-13 and assured himself a berth in the title clash.

In the second semifinal, Arnam, a student of Class IX at Sat Paul Mittal School, Ludhiana, and Lakshay’s partner in the doubles overpowered Akarshit Sharma from Gurdaspur 21-15, 21-15 to settle for the summit clash. In the final, Lakshay survived a scare against Arnam before romping home victorious 21-17, 22-20 to fetch the title.

Similarly, in the doubles’ category, Lakshay and Arnam Jain outclassed Barinder Singh of Sangrur and Hriday Bhudiraja from Jalandhar 21-17, 21-14 to lift the winners’ trophy. With these titles, Lakshay Sharma has annexed five titles in the state ranking tournaments. Earlier, he had won in the U-13 category to make waves in the field of badminton.

Arnam Jain and Lakshay are being trained under coach Mangat Rai Sharma who helped the duo to improve their skills to carve a niche for themselves at the national and international-level competitions.

Lakshay has already established himself at the national as well as the international level as he stirred the badminton arena by clinching a number of medals. He has been the state champion thrice (U-13), besides silver medal winner in the U-17 section in the state tournament.

Besides, Lakshay has won gold medals (U-13) for two consecutive years in the National Ranking Badminton Tournaments and secured a bronze medal in the Sub Junior Open National Tournament in the same age group.

Lakshay, father and an NIS qualified coach, Mangat Rai Sharma also stamped his supremacy in the international tournaments. He won the gold medal in the singles category at the Swiss Youth Open Badminton Tournament in Switzerland. This was followed by another title victory when he notched up a gold medal in the Youth International Championship at Glasgow in Scotland.

For his consistent achievements, Lakshay was invited for the National Badminton Camp organised by the Badminton Association of India at Padukone-Dravid Sports Centre for Excellence, Bengaluru, last month where he got an opportunity to undergo specialised training-cum-coaching to hone his skills under the guidance of best available coaches and experts.

Sister Reshmi, Principal, Sacred Heart Convent School, congratulated Lakshay and wished him success for the future.