Lakshya Sen Stages Stellar Comeback in World Championships Opener in New Delhi

India's badminton sensation Lakshya Sen kicked off his BWF World Championships 2026 campaign with a gritty comeback victory against Austria's Collins Filimon in the Men's Singles Round of 64 today in New Delhi. Sen, a home favorite, dropped the first game but powered through to win 16-21, 21-8, 21-4, overcoming initial challenges posed by court conditions and his opponent. This win marks a strong start for the former bronze medalist in badminton's most prestigious individual tournament. Sen's triumph at the Indira Gandhi Arena is particularly significant as India hosts the World Championships for the first time since 2009, making every match crucial for national pride and player momentum. Coming off a strong period that saw him return to the top 10 of the BWF World Ranking and reach the Paris Olympics semifinals, Sen is looking to build on his consistent form and vie for a medal here. Collins Filimon, an Olympian from Austria, showcased his fighting spirit in the first game, leveraging his height before Sen adapted to the challenging drift in the arena to dominate the subsequent games. With this crucial first-round hurdle cleared, Lakshya Sen now advances to the next stage of the knockout format tournament, where the stakes only get higher. His ability to adjust and overcome early difficulties will be key as he navigates a field of the world's best, all competing for maximum ranking points and the coveted World Champion title. Badminton enthusiasts will be keenly watching his journey as the tournament progresses towards the finals on August 23rd.