Paris: The amygdala, a small center in the brain, plays a crucial role in controlling emotions, anxiety, and fear. Despite its size, it has a significant function. When fear strikes, memories of past traumatic experiences can flood the mind, potentially causing the body to shut down all non-essential functions, leaving only vital organs like the heart and limbs operational for survival.
In sports, the amygdala helps manage aggression and prevent the mind from going blank. Elite athletes possess the ability to make logical decisions during high-pressure moments, with their muscle memory enhancing their performance. In badminton, where the shuttlecock can travel at speeds around 400 km/h, quick decision-making and sharp reflexes are essential. However, when doubt arises, old fears resurface, and for athletes, this often results in losing the match.
On Monday, Lakshya Sen experienced such a moment of mental blankness. Trembling as he faced the media, his voice quivered, and he struggled to provide coherent answers. He appeared devastated, barely holding back tears after losing the bronze medal match at the Olympics to Lee Zii Jia. Such opportunities are rare, and missing out on an Olympic medal, the reward for years of hard work, is a significant blow.
Lakshya seemed unable to recover from the semi-final defeat to Viktor Axelsen. This setback likely resurfaced when Lee began closing the gap in the second game after Lakshya comfortably won the first. Initially, Lakshya’s performance was flawless, while Lee’s judgment was off. But as Lee made a comeback, the crowd’s support intensified, and Lakshya’s game deteriorated, as if his amygdala had sensed danger. His once brilliant shots became weak and error-prone.
The memory of his missed opportunity against Axelsen might have haunted Lakshya, especially when he failed to close the game after leading 20-17. Lee’s eight consecutive points were catastrophic in such a high-stakes match. The mental anguish from this was far more severe than any physical pain from his hand injury. Lakshya struggled to maintain his performance, and by the third game, he was mentally and physically exhausted, resulting in a 21-11 defeat.
Lakshya’s post-match comments reflected his struggle. “Once he started playing well, it was hard for me to find the answers in the rallies,” he admitted. “At times, when the score is crucial, you have to be mentally strong. Credit to him, he played a solid game in the second.” During the brief interview, Lakshya seemed lost, searching for answers to both his game and the questions asked.
Conversely, Lee discussed his strategic shift. “I tried to turn the game into an attacking game,” Lee explained, smiling in the mixed zone. Having played against each other frequently, they know each other’s games well. Lee acknowledged the intense pressure of the Olympics, which can push players to perform extraordinary feats. His strategy in the second game was to prolong the rallies, increasing his chances of winning. “The longer I could sustain, the bigger chance I had,” he noted.
India’s performance at this Olympics has been disappointing, with three medals so far and a complete failure in badminton and boxing, despite substantial investments. The Badminton Federation of India, along with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS), must take responsibility and reassess their approach. Athletes were closely monitored by TOPS, sometimes bypassing the federations, and there were special rules for certain players. The absence of a unified national camp, previously the norm, raises questions about its impact on performance.
Prakash Padukone, present as Sindhu’s mentor, emphasized the need for players to take responsibility. “One cannot always blame the federation or the ministry,” he said, pointing out that all the shuttlers’ demands were met. To revive Indian badminton, the policies that previously brought success need to be revisited. A nation historically deprived of Olympic success cannot afford to squander its potential for glory.
