Lakshya Sen's giant-killing run ended with a straight-games defeat to Thailand's rising star Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the final of the German Open Super 300 badminton tournament, Muelheim An Der Ruhr, on Sunday.
The fourth Pinkvilla Screen & Style Icons awards saw a splash of A-listers walk down the red carpet.
It has been 20 years since the Kargil War. Sukanya Verma look back at Lakshya, Farhan Akhtar's memorable film that was inspired by the war in the icy heights where young Indian soldiers fought tireless battles to evict Pakistani troops from our territory.
The 24-year-old from Amalapuram expressed his gratitude to his partner for being there during this challenging time.
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand capped a remarkable week by clinching a maiden Super 300 title with a commanding straight-game victory over China's Bao Li Jing and Li Qian in the Syed Modi International final on Sunday.
The sixth seeded Indian from Uttarakhand, who had won a bronze medal in the last edition of the competition, notched up 21-19, 21-18 upset win over Vitidsarn in the summit clash that clocked 46 minutes.
Lakshya Sen has been in incredible form in the last six months.
The IIFAs saw some emotion and a whole lot of glamour.
The Indian badminton team returned empty-handed from the Olympics for the first time in over a decade.
Two-time Olympic medallist shuttler PV Sindhu pulled out of the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship in China due to a hamstring issue, dealing a huge blow to the country's chances of improving the colour of their medal in the prestigious edition.
Young Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen took to social media and said that his debut Olympics was both an honour and a heartbreak.
Anmol Kharb continued her impressive run, defeating top seed Anupama Upadhyaya in straight games in the women's singles final to clinch the gold medal at the 38th National Games.
'People are saying that a new star is in the making.' 'It's been 10 years since I came to Bombay, and things are finally happening.'
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday
Neha watches her first Test in person... Fatima takes a mielfie... Sonal in Dubai...
India's Lakshya Sen secured his maiden Super 500 title by winning the Yonex-Sunrise India Open with a stunning straight-game victory over reigning world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the men's singles final in New Delhi on Sunday.
Following is India's schedule on Sunday, Day 9 of the Paris Olympics: (All timings in IST)
P V Sindhu and Lakshya Sen sailed into the second round but it was curtains for Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth on a mixed day for India at the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament in Paris on Wednesday.
Following is India's schedule on Monday, Day 10 of the Paris Olympics
PM Modi met in person and interacted with the badminton squad
'Every actor has to really look within, because a lot of them are not really in touch with reality.'
London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal, on the other hand, moved one place to 31st.
Lakshya Sen's stunning win over Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie went in vain as the Indian men's badminton team went down fighting 2-3 to two-time defending champions Indonesia in the semi-finals to settle for a bronze at the Asia Team Championships in Manila on Saturday.
Lakshya Sen continued his rich vein of form as he sent the world No. 1 and top-seed Axelsen packing
Lakshya is a sub-sonic, re-usable aerial target system, which is remote controlled from the ground and is designed to train both airborne and air-defence pilots.
Lakshya had struggled through much of 2023 and early part of 2024. He fell behind in the qualification race but turned things around in time with two semi-final finishes at the All England Championship and the French Open to seal his place in the Olympics.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy have been handed relatively easy groups for the Paris Games, which begin on July 26.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Saturday
Sen, a product of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, has been in the form of his life for about a year now.
The former world number one duo had been sidelined from competitive action post the Paris Olympics due to Satwik's shoulder injury.
Lakshya is the indigenously developed Pilotless Target Aircraft.
It was a hit and miss for some but each one of them revelled in the opportunity to showcase their talent.
Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila outclassed Adnan Maulana and Indah Cahya Sari Jamil in straight games in the first round match.
Despite the name, Indian success at the tournament hasn't been particularly regular with none from the host nation winning any title in the past two editions.
Lakshya Sen has worked on his "speed and variations" to be battle ready for the new season.
Indian qualifier Kiran George shocked World No 25 Wang Tzu Wei of Chinese Taipei in straight games.
Teenage shuttler Lakshya Sen reaffirmed his status as one of India's rising talent as he gave legendary Lin Dan a scare before losing in three games at the Auckland Open Badminton Championship, in Auckland, on Thursday.
There was no casualty or damage to property, Superintendent of Police Niti Sekhar said.
P V Sindhu survived a scare before beating unheralded compatriot Ira Sharma in three games to enter the women's singles quarter-finals at the Syed Modi International Super 300 badminton tournament.
