Lakshya Sen exits Asian Games 2026 after Loh Kean Yew defeats him in three games
Synopsis
Lakshya Sen's Asian Games 2026 campaign ended in the second round after Singapore's Loh Kean Yew staged a comeback to win 21-12, 15-21, 21-14 in Nagoya. With Satwik-Chirag also gone, India's individual badminton challenge at these Games has effectively unravelled — a jarring contrast to the men's team bronze won just days earlier.
Key Takeaways
Lakshya Sen was eliminated in the Asian Games 2026 men's singles second round on 26 September .
Singapore's Loh Kean Yew won 21-12, 15-21, 21-14 at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium , Nagoya.
Loh improved his head-to-head record against Sen to 5-7 and progressed to the round of 16.
Sen had earlier helped India claim a bronze medal in the men's team event.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty , India's top doubles pair, also suffered early elimination on Friday .
India's Lakshya Sen was eliminated from the Asian Games 2026 men's singles event on Saturday, 26 September, losing to Singapore's former world champion Loh Kean Yew in a three-game thriller at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Nagoya. The final scoreline read 21-12, 15-21, 21-14 in Loh's favour, ending Sen's individual campaign at the second-round stage.
How the Match Unfolded
Sen, ranked 14th in the world, made a confident start, racing to a 5-1 lead in the opening game. However, Loh, ranked 13th, responded with a stunning run of 10 consecutive points to seize control and eventually close out the game 21-12.
The Indian shuttler showed resilience in the second game, lifting his attacking intensity and staying composed under pressure to win it 21-15, forcing a deciding third game.
Loh Holds His Nerve in the Decider
The third game remained competitive throughout. Loh held an 11-6 lead at the change of ends, but Sen refused to capitulate — clawing back to 13-14 with a four-point burst and later narrowing the gap to 14-16. Loh, however, countered with three straight points to reassert his advantage. He moved to match point before Sen's return found the net, sealing the win for Singapore.
The contest lasted one hour and 10 minutes. With the victory, Loh improved his head-to-head record against Sen to 5-7 and progressed to the round of 16 later on Saturday.
A Difficult Start for India's Badminton Contingent
Sen's exit deepens India's individual-events woes at these Asian Games. A day earlier, on Friday, the country's top-ranked men's doubles pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also suffered an early elimination — a result that had already raised alarm bells.
Notably, Sen had contributed to India's bronze-medal finish in the men's team event before this individual setback, which underscores the gap between team and individual performance for the contingent.
What's Next for India at Asian Games Badminton
With both the men's singles and top doubles pair now out of contention, India's remaining shuttlers carry the burden of salvaging the individual draw. The results so far mark a sharp contrast to expectations heading into the tournament, and the badminton federation will likely examine the campaign closely once the Games conclude.
Point of View
Built on 10 straight points, exposed Sen's tendency to ease off when ahead. Meanwhile, the Satwik-Chirag early exit in doubles strips India of its two strongest individual-event hopes simultaneously. The badminton federation must ask whether tournament scheduling and match preparation for the Asian Games circuit are being managed with the same rigour applied to the BWF World Tour.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score in the Lakshya Sen vs Loh Kean Yew match at Asian Games 2026?
Loh Kean Yew defeated Lakshya Sen 21-12, 15-21, 21-14 in the men's singles second round at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Nagoya. The match lasted one hour and 10 minutes.
Who is Loh Kean Yew?
Loh Kean Yew is Singapore's former world champion badminton player, ranked 13th in the world at the time of this match. He has now won five of 12 career meetings against Lakshya Sen, progressing to the Asian Games 2026 round of 16.
How did India perform in badminton at Asian Games 2026?
India won a bronze medal in the men's team event but struggled in individual competitions. Lakshya Sen was eliminated in the second round, and the top doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also suffered an early exit on Friday.
Did Lakshya Sen win any medal at Asian Games 2026?
Sen contributed to India's bronze-medal finish in the men's team event at Asian Games 2026. However, his individual campaign ended at the second-round stage following the loss to Loh Kean Yew.
What happens next for Loh Kean Yew at Asian Games 2026?
Loh Kean Yew advanced to the round of 16, where he was scheduled to face another opponent later on Saturday, 26 September, following his win over Lakshya Sen.
