Paris: In an extraordinary display of skill and athleticism, Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen stunned the world number 4, Jonatan Christie, with a straight-sets victory, winning 21-18, 21-12. The match, held during the ongoing Olympics, showcased Sen's tactical brilliance and remarkable shot-making ability, including a 'behind-the-back' shot that went viral on social media. This particular shot caught the attention of industrialist Anand Mahindra, who humorously suggested that Christie's only recourse might be to "cry foul and file a suit" against Sen for being an "unnatural opponent who possessed three arms."

Sen's victory over Christie, the reigning All England and Asian champion, was particularly notable as it marked only the second time Sen had defeated the Indonesian player. The last victory came four years ago at the Badminton Asia Team Championships, and Sen entered this match with a challenging 1-4 head-to-head record against Christie. However, Sen demonstrated exceptional maturity and tactical acumen, effectively exploiting Christie's weaknesses and maintaining a high-tempo game.

In the first game, Christie initially took an 8-2 lead, but Sen quickly regrouped and leveled the score. Sen then took control, using flat pushes and strategic shots to win the game 21-18. In the second game, despite a brief period of errors, Sen maintained his dominance, capitalizing on Christie's mistakes to secure a comfortable 21-12 win.

Post-match, Sen expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, "I think it was a tough match today, happy with the way I played." He also indicated confidence in his form, looking forward to the upcoming matches with optimism.

Next, Sen will face fellow Indian shuttler HS Prannoy in an all-Indian pre-quarterfinal match, while PV Sindhu, another Indian badminton star, is expected to take on China's He Bingjiao.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.

Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.

Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.

An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.

The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.

Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."

"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.

"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.

A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.