Lakshya Sen Becomes First Indian to Win Kumamoto Masters Title

Kumamoto, November 15 (Daily Kiran) : Lakshya Sen has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian to win the Kumamoto Masters title in badminton. The final, held on November 15, 2026, saw Sen triumph over Japan’s Koki Watanabe in a thrilling match that lasted one hour and four minutes.

Sen initially struggled as Watanabe took the first game 21-13. However, the young Indian shuttler regrouped and fought back, securing the second game 21-18 after establishing a significant lead. This victory forced a decisive third game, where both players were neck-and-neck early on.

At a 5-5 tie, Sen began to pull ahead, reaching an 11-7 lead at the interval. He maintained his momentum to secure the final game 21-14, marking his second consecutive BWF Super 500 title following his earlier win at the Hylo Open in Germany.

With this victory, Sen not only became the first Indian to win the Kumamoto Masters, but he also earned his sixth BWF World Tour title overall. The win adds 9,200 ranking points to his total, enhancing his chances for the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou later this year.

This remarkable achievement follows Sen’s historic run as the first Indian to reach the finals of the Kumamoto Masters, showcasing his rising prominence in the sport.