TOPS sanctioned Heath Mathews’ presence in Birmingham, and it really helped me: Lakshya Sen

Basking in the glory of the Commonwealth Games Badminton men’s singles gold won on Monday, Lakshya Sen has said his recovery from a shoulder issue that was troubling him and made him skip some international tournaments was made possible by Government support to engage the services of physiotherapist Heath Mathews.

The 20-year-old said he skipped a couple of events in Malaysia to give himself the time to recover from a shoulder issue that was bothering him and prepare for Commonwealth Games.

“Thanks to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, I was able to draw on the vast experience of physiotherapist Heath Mathews both in the run up to and during the Games,” he said.

“His expertise helped me get back in shape in time to train for the Games. I am thankful that TOPS also sanctioned Heath Mathews’ travel to Birmingham to be with me,” he said. “I also think that it helped me that I took a break from competition to work on regaining the fitness that I needed. I hope I can continue with this form in the World Championships,” he said.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Mission Olympic Cell underwrote the entire cost of engaging Heath Mathews for a week in Bengaluru from July 17 and for 16 days in Birmingham to assist Lakshya Sen’s recovery.

“It was very good to win a Commonwealth Games Gold in my first multi-discipline event in the senior ranks. I have had a lot of things to learn from the Games. It has been a great experience,” he said, moments before he boarded the aircraft that would bring him home. “The team atmosphere was very good. We jelled and played well in the team event.”

Lakshya Sen said he felt more motivated when he heard the National Anthem being played in the medal ceremony after the women’s singles where PV Sindhu won Gold.

“I was warming up for my match when the National Anthem was played. It motivated me to try and repeat it after my final,” he said.