In celebration of Viktor Axelsen’s stellar career, here is a selection of some of his most significant wins.
Rio 2016 Olympics
Bronze Medal Match: Bt Lin Dan 15-21 21-10 21-17
A breakthrough in his first Olympics! To beat two-time champion Lin Dan, who had a cloak of invincibility at the Olympics, called for nerves of steel on the biggest stage of all.
Axelsen beat two-time champion Lin Dan for the bronze at Rio 2016.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Final: Bt Chen Long 21-15 21-12
Given his form leading up to the Olympics, Axelsen was favourite, for Chen Long hadn’t been in competition for over a year. Still, Chen was the defending champion and renowned for his infallibility under pressure. For Axelsen to sweep through in straight games showed the mental strength he’d built up.
The summit of the Olympic Games with a win over the defending champion.
Paris 2024 Olympics
Final: Bt Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-11 21-11
A year previously Vitidsarn had won the World Championships, and he had upstaged Axelsen in their last meeting at the India Open. Few would have been surprised if the cool-headed Thai had repeated his performance over the Dane, for he was in brilliant form in Paris. However, Axelsen stepped on the gas at the start and never let go, blitzing the world champion in 52 minutes.
Axelsen after defending his Olympic gold.
World Championships 2017
Final: Bt Lin Dan 22-20 21-16
A first world title – and that too against the most accomplished singles player at the World Championships! Axelsen refused to let the occasion or the reputation of his opponent get the better of him – instead, he asserted his intimidating physical presence even as they walked on to court, and there was no looking back from then on.
World Championships 2022
Final: Bt Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-5 21-16
The year was Axelsen’s all the way. From winning his second All England, to regaining the European Championships, winning all his matches at the Thomas Cup, and three titles in a row before the World Championships – everything went right for the Dane. The World Championships was no different, and he demolished the field, including Vitidsarn in a one-sided final.
Dubai World Superseries Finals 2016
Final: Bt Tian Houwei 21-14 6-21 21-17
Axelsen had been in six Superseries finals and lost every one of them. Finally, the breakthrough came in Dubai, beating Lee Chong Wei for the first time after nine losses. Tian Houwei started well in the final and it must have felt like déjà vu for Axelsen, but the Dane would not be denied in his seventh Superseries final. That would be the start of a special relationship with the city.
Thomas Cup 2016
Final: Beat Tommy Sugiarto 21-17 21-18
Taking over as singles spearhead for Denmark, Axelsen won five of his six matches. Playing the final for a shot at a historic first title, Axelsen gave his team the perfect start – a straight-games demolition of Tommy Sugiarto to set the stage for the country’s biggest achievement in a team event.
Japan Open 2017 Final
Bt Lee Chong Wei 21-14 19-21 21-14
Only his second victory – and his first in a final – against Lee Chong Wei. Coming as it did after his World Championships title, it reaffirmed that he was up there with the very best.
All England 2020 Final
Bt Chou Tien Chen 21-13 21-14
His first All England title – always a special moment for any Dane, given the historic association of the tournament with past Danish greats.
Denmark Open 2021
Bt Kento Momota 20-22 21-18 21-12
Surprisingly, it was only in the latter part of his career that he would win his home Denmark Open. It came against his biggest nemesis – Kento Momota. The victory came after a sequence of 13 straight defeats. That it was on home soil in Odense made it all the more special.
BWF Newsletter
