India’s badminton players, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, along with Lakshya Sen, have faced setbacks due to injury withdrawals in the group stages of the Olympics 2024. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty’s second group match scheduled for Monday, July 29, has been canceled following the withdrawal of Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel, as Mark Lamsfuss suffered a knee injury. Consequently, the result of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty’s second game will now be null and void.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) issued a statement on Monday morning regarding Mark Lamsfuss’ injury and extended their wishes for his speedy recovery. The withdrawal has also affected the pair of Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar, as their match against the German pair is now null and void as well.
“German men’s doubles player Mark Lamsfuss has withdrawn from the Olympic Games Paris 2024 badminton competition due to a knee injury,” the statement read. “Mark Lamsfuss and teammate Marvin Seidel’s remaining Group C matches against India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (Court 3, 8:30 AM local time, 29 July 2024) and Lucas Corvee-Ronan Labar of France (Court 1, ‘Not Before’ 2:50 PM local time, 30 July 2024) will not be played.”
“Matches on these courts in each respective session have been rescheduled,” the statement continued. “As per BWF General Competition Regulations for group stage play, the results of all matches played, or yet to be played, involving Group C are now considered deleted.”
Impact on Lakshya Sen and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty
Lakshya Sen is facing a particularly challenging situation due to these developments. His win over Kevin Cordon was nullified following the Guatemalan shuttler’s withdrawal from the competition due to an injury. As a result, Lakshya Sen will be the only player in his group to have played three matches, while his competitors, Jonatan Christie and Julien Carraggi, will each compete in just two matches to advance to the knockout stage. Lakshya Sen’s next match is against Julien Carraggi on Monday, July 29.
For Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, the situation is slightly more favorable as they gain an extra rest day, allowing them to focus on winning their next game to qualify. The top two pairs from the doubles group will advance, whereas in Lakshya Sen’s group, only the table topper will proceed to the next round.
India’s medal hopes also rest on Arjun Babuta and Ramita Jindal, who will compete in the men’s and women’s 10 m air rifle events on Monday.
