As he prepares for the largest match of his life Sunday — the Olympics semifinal in opposition to World No. 2 Viktor Axelsen — Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen has his total household camped at an condo near the Port de la Chapelle Enviornment, with “home-cooked meals” and smoothies dispatched to him on a regular basis.
The key sauce for Lakshya Sen, the primary Indian man to achieve the last-four stage of the Olympics badminton competitors, is his mom Nirmala’s cooking. She has travelled with him for round a month together with father Dhirendra Kumar and brother Chirag.
Surprisingly, the fare on supply isn’t at all times Indian: Lakshya Sen’s staple lunch is a mildly spiced rooster noodle soup, crafted by Nirmala in coordination with the participant’s nutritionist.
Nirmala’s presence — be it at Marseilles for a fortnight earlier than the Olympics or in Paris this final week — has ensured that Lakshya will get the identical customised meals he ate again dwelling in Bengaluru.
A coaching day in Bengaluru sometimes sees him eat 6-7 average meals. “Lunch is noodle soup, rooster and greens cooked in inventory. Typically, it was rooster steak and generally pasta with rooster,” Lakshya Sen had advised The Indian Categorical earlier than the Olympics. “My nutritionist, my mom and I work collectively.”
The eating regimen is tweaked just for dietary supplements, along with his physio checking in each hour on his hydration.
Lakshya Sen’s coach, Vimal Kumar, stated upon reaching France forward of the Olympics: “Now we have ensured that his mom is shut by in order that he feels comfy.”
India’s Lakshya Sen performs in opposition to Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen throughout their males’s singles badminton quarter last on the Paris 2024 Olympics. (AP Photographs )
Viren Rasquinha, head of Olympic Gold Quest (operations) which helps Lakshya Sen, stated: “His mom has travelled and has been cooking for him day by day. It was necessary that in an enormous occasion, he was in the absolute best state of mind.”
Nirmala has ensured that his pre-and post-match meals have been on the dot, realizing that Lakshya Sen tends to remain skinny and get injured as a result of his consumption doesn’t match the power expended.
Lakshya Sen’s excessive metabolism
“I’ve a really excessive metabolism. So, I gained’t achieve weight even when I eat a little bit bit additional. However, for me, it’s necessary to maintain consuming. If I don’t eat and nonetheless prepare at a really excessive depth, I are likely to drop extra pounds. I’ve to actually give attention to consuming the fitting protein, consuming good carbs in between,” Lakshya Sen stated.
Whereas some excessive depth bodily conditioning has boosted his energy, a big a part of his health was right down to the eating regimen within the years main as much as these Olympics.
Lakshya Sen, even when travelling with out household, lugs his smoothie maker to each match. “Even when I’ve an early session at 6 am, I’ve a fruit smoothie with oatmeal at 5.30 am. Or with almond milk and dry fruits, after which common breakfast and protein shakes after coaching. Within the afternoons, it’s extra like 3-4 average meals, not one heavy meal,” he stated.
A big a part of getting ready his psyche for the Video games was to make him study to adapt. He learnt to chew on “rooster that tasted candy” regardless of an intense dislike.
“If I don’t like one thing, the nutritionist suggests alternate options. If the abdomen is completely satisfied, the temper is completely satisfied,” Lakshya Sen stated, including that he can eat something aside from bitter-gourd.
Shuttlers are at all times travelling, and he was skilled to by no means get connected to Indian meals. “I’m OK with consuming different meals. I don’t eat Indian meals. I carry protein bars and eat the native fruits. Dietary supplements and protein shakes I carry. The nutritionist was clear that we aren’t to eat any packed, processed meals. It’s not good to hold. So all that I keep away from. Normally contemporary meals at all times,” he stated.
He had grown keen on Nando’s grilled rooster and potatoes for the dinner load-up at Birmingham when he gained the Commonwealth Video games. At Paris, although, he has caught to Nirmala’s cooking the entire time. Requested if there was a meal reserved for less than after a potential medal, he would wave away any trace of a sacrifice. “I don’t ever have cravings for ice cream or chocolate.”