Tokyo is today hosting the start of the BWF World Championships 2022, one of the most significant dates in the sport. This tournament is highly coveted not only for the gold medal and the title of \"World Champion\" but also because it offers the maximum amount of ranking points. India's Lakshya Sen enters the fray with high confidence, having recently clinched a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. He is now eager to translate that success into another strong performance here.
It is time for the big one, the BWF World Championships 2022 start today in Tokyo. This Badminton World Federation tournament is one of the most prestigious events, offering the most ranking points to the players. The winners of this showpiece event are awarded a gold medal and are also crowned as “World Champions” of the sport. Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen recently won one of his career’s biggest titles, a gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG). After a successful campaign at the recently concluded CWG, Lakshya Sen will be keen to continue his stellar run at the World Championships.
Having secured bronze in the previous edition, the 21-year-old Indian athlete is now striving for gold. Because an injured PV Sindhu is missing the event for the first time in a decade, Lakshya is expected to be the face of India's campaign. While the CWG title was a milestone, the World Championships are his ultimate objective. Sen clarified in a recent interview that his Commonwealth Games experience has only strengthened, rather than hindered, his preparations for this tournament.
Sen explained that his specific preparation—which included a six-week break from the circuit by skipping events in Singapore and Malaysia—was key to his success in Birmingham. He viewed the Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone to regain his rhythm. Now, he feels fully equipped to tackle the challenge, believing that the lessons learned from last year's tournament will be invaluable.
According to Sen, the ultimate goal is winning, and achieving victory builds the necessary momentum and confidence as a tournament unfolds. He pointed out that the World Championships are a different beast entirely; since every competitor arrives in peak form, a player must be significantly more prepared and perform at a higher level than they would at an event like the CWG.
Sen expects a grueling road to the finish, noting that every single match from the opening rounds will be a struggle. Positioned in the bottom quarter of the draw, Lakshya's first opponent will be the seasoned Danish player Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus.
Former World No. 1 Saina Nehwal is making her return after sitting out the CWG. Her journey begins with a match against Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong, and she could potentially face Japan's Nozomi Okuhara, currently ranked 6th in the world, as early as the second round.