Lakshya Sen’s inspiring campaign at the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2025 came to a close in the semifinals after a draining three-game contest against Japan’s home favourite Kenta Nishimoto, with the Indian going down 19-21, 21-14, 12-21.
It was a match that demanded intensity, precision and physical resilience and Lakshya delivered all three until a slip in the third game altered the momentum decisively. Despite the setback, his run in Japan once again underlined why he remains one of the most formidable shuttlers on the international circuit.
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Lakshya opened the semifinal with solid rhythm, matching Nishimoto point for point in a tightly fought opening game. His control in the forecourt, aggressive pushes to the deep corners and early anticipation often caught the Japanese off balance. But as the rallies grew longer, Nishimoto’s retrieval and mid-court pressure tilted the game his way at crucial moments. Lakshya saved multiple points but narrowly conceded the game 19-21.
If the first game was tight, the second showcased Lakshya’s maturity under pressure. Beginning slower than usual, he trailed early but quickly recalibrated. From 6-8 down, he began dictating the tempo stepping forward early, flattening the trajectory of his smashes and controlling the net exchanges. Nishimoto struggled to keep up with the sudden shift in intensity, and Lakshya sealed the second game 21-14 with confidence. A decider awaited, and the crowd sensed a classic in the making.
A Slip That Changed the Match Dynamics
The third game began with both players trading sharp, tactical rallies, but a nasty slip from Lakshya mid-game proved costly. Though he continued playing, the incident visibly disrupted his movement and rhythm. Nishimoto capitalised immediately, extending rallies and moving Lakshya to both flanks. Despite the Indian’s attempts to stay in touch, the momentum had shifted decisively. Nishimoto closed out the final game 21-12, ending a hard-fought and eventful contest.
Even in defeat, Lakshya’s performance stood out for its courage and resilience especially considering the quality of opposition and the physical strain of back-to-back matches.
A Strong Run Through the Draw
Before the semifinal, Lakshya had put together a commanding run through the earlier rounds, displaying the sharpness and confidence that has defined his 2025 season.
Round of 32: Commanding Opening Performance
Lakshya began his campaign with a dominant win over Japan’s Koki Watanabe, controlling the rallies from start to finish to seal a 21-12, 21-16 victory in just 39 minutes. His control in G2 kept Watanabe from making any meaningful comeback.
Round of 16: Smooth Sailing Against Jason Teh
In the pre-quarterfinal, Lakshya was clinical against Singapore’s Jia Heng Jason Teh, winning 21-13, 21-11. His aggressive start in the second game, especially the 11-4 lead at the interval, showcased his command. Jason struggled with unforced errors, unable to counter Lakshya’s pace and accuracy.
Quarterfinal: Statement Win Over Loh Kean Yew
The quarterfinal brought a familiar opponent 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew. Lakshya played one of his finest matches of the tournament, winning 21-13, 21-17.
Down 9-15 in the second game, Loh mounted a strong comeback, taking 8 of the next 11 points to close the gap to 17-18. But Lakshya held his composure, reasserted control through tight net play, and won three straight points to seal the match. It was a performance that sent a strong message to the rest of the field.
This win served as an early indicator that Lakshya had arrived in Japan with clear intent.
A Tournament of High Quality and High Fight
Lakshya Sen may have fallen one step short of the final, but his Kumamoto Masters 2025 journey was filled with grit, quality badminton and big victories. His ability to come back from tough situations, handle pressure phases and dominate top-10 opponents reflects his growing maturity on the BWF circuit.
The semifinal loss decided as much by a slip as by the quality of the contest does not take away from what he achieved this week. With the season still unfolding, Lakshya leaves Japan with renewed confidence and valuable momentum.
A strong campaign, a brave finish, and another reminder that Lakshya Sen remains one of India’s brightest medal hopes in world badminton.
