Viktor Axelsen

Viktor Axelsen (born 4 January 1994) is a Danish badminton player. He was the 2017 World Champion and the bronze medalist at the 2016 Summer Olympics.[1] He won the 2010 World Junior Championships, beating Korea's Kang Ji-wook in the final to become the first ever European player to hold the title.[2] Axelsen was crowned European men's singles champion in 2016 and 2018.[3]

Viktor Axelsen
Axelsen at the 2018 Indonesia Masters
Personal information
Country	Denmark
Born	(1994-01-04) 4 January 1994 Odense, Denmark
Residence	Valby, Denmark
Height	1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
Years active	2010
Handedness	Right
Men's singles
Career record	360 wins, 132 losses
Highest ranking	1 (28 September 2017)
Current ranking	4 (17 March 2020)
Medal record Men's badminton Representing  Denmark Olympic Games 2016 Rio de Janeiro Singles World Championships 2017 Glasgow Men's singles 2014 Copenhagen Men's singles Sudirman Cup 2013 Kuala Lumpur Mixed team Thomas Cup 2016 Kunshan Men's team 2012 Wuhan Men's team 2018 Bangkok Men's team European Championships 2016 La Roche-sur-Yon Men's singles 2018 Huelva Men's singles 2012 Karlskrona Men's singles 2014 Kazan Men's singles 2017 Kolding Men's singles European Mixed Team Championships 2015 Leuven Mixed team 2017 Lubin Mixed team 2019 Copenhagen Mixed team 2013 Moscow Mixed team European Men's Team Championships 2012 Amsterdam Men's team 2014 Basel Men's team 2016 Kazan Men's team 2018 Kazan Men's team 2020 Liévin Men's team World Junior Championships 2010 Guadalajara Boys' singles 2011 Taipei Boys' singles European Junior Championships 2011 Vantaa Boys' singles 2011 Vantaa Mixed team European U17 Championships 2009 Medvode Boys' singles 2009 Medvode Mixed team
BWF profile

Early life

Axelsen was born in Odense, and at six years old, his father introduced him to badminton, playing the games at the Odense badminton club.[4][5] He lived with his father after his parents divorced, then lived alone in Copenhagen at the age of 17 and joined the national team.[6] His father Henrik Axelsen ran a small advertising agency for a number of years, but now works full time as a manager for his son, and his mother Gitte Lundager has a shop in central Odense with a hairdressing salon, cosmetics and fashion clothing. He was named as 2004 Player of the Year by Odense badminton club.[7]

Career

2006–2011: Early career and World Junior title

Viktor Axelsen at 2010 Dutch Open

Axelsen achievements begin when he won the National junior event in the boys' singles and doubles in his age group in 2006 and 2008.[7] He later emerged victorious at the 2009 German Junior and also at the European U17 Championships.[8] He made his debut in the senior international tournament at the 2009 Denmark Open played in the men's doubles event with Steffen Rasmussen.[4]

In January 2010, Axelsen who played from the qualification round manage to reach the finals at the Swedish International tournament, and finished as the runner-up after lost to Indra Bagus Ade Chandra in straight games 15–21, 12–21.[9] He competed at the World Junior Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico, claimed the boys' singles title by defeated the No.1 seed, China's Huang Yuxiang in the quarterfinals, India's B. Sai Praneeth in the semis and Kang Ji-wook of Korea in the final.[8] In October. he claimed his first international senior title at the age of just sixteen, winning the Cyprus International.[10] A few weeks later he entered his first Super Series event in singles, the Denmark Open 2010; making it through the qualifying stages before losing out to compatriot and eventual winner Jan Ø. Jørgensen in the second round.[11]

In 2011, Axelsen secured gold at the European Junior Championships, defeating teammate Rasmus Fladberg 21–8, 17–21, 21–13 in the final.[12] He took a silver medal at the 2011 BWF World Junior Championships, lost the title to Malaysia's Zulfadli Zulkiffli, coming in second place.[13]

2012–2014: First Grand Prix title, European and World bronze

In early 2012, Axelsen moved to Valby, in Copenhagen, and began to training at Brøndby elite center.[5] Axelsen finished runner-up at the French Open in Paris, losing in the final to Daren Liew 18–21, 17–21.[14] He also won a bronze medal at the 2012 European Championships losing the semi-final in three games to Sweden's Henri Hurskainen 21–18, 18–21, 17–21.[15]

In 2014, Axelsen has won his first Grand Prix title at the Swiss Open, beating China's Tian Houwei in the final 21–7, 16–21, 25–23.[16] Axelsen won a bronze medal at the 2014 BWF World Championships and also a bronze medal again at the 2014 European Badminton Championships.[17]

2015–2016: European champion, Olympic bronze, and Superseries title

In 2015, Axelsen finished runners-up at the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold, three Super Series events India Open, Australian Open, and Japan Open. He qualified to compete at the Super Series Finals held in Dubai, and again finished as the runner-up.[18] Axelsen featured in Denmark winning team at the European Mixed Team Championships in Leuven, Belgium.[19][20] At the Sudirman Cup, the team finished in the quarter finals lost 2–3 to Japanese team, where he played in the second matches.[21] He ended the 2015 season ranked as world number 6.

In 2016, Axelsen earned his first European crown in May 2016 beating compatriot and defending champion Jan Ø. Jørgensen with 21–11, 21–16 in the final of the 25th edition of the European Championships, the first in France at La Roche-sur-Yon. He was also part of the historic Danish team winning the first ever Thomas Cup title in 2016. Axelsen won five of his six played singles matches in the team tournament, also against Indonesia's experienced player Tommy Sugiarto in the final (21–17, 21–18) setting up a dramatic and historic 3–2 victory for Denmark over Indonesia. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, he won the bronze medal by beating Lin Dan from China 21–15, 12–21, 21–17.

2017: World champion, second Superseries Finals title, World number 1

In 2017, Axelsen won the World Championship in Glasgow in two sets against Lin Dan (22–20, 21–16) and became the third Danish player to ever become a world champion (Peter Rasmussen 1997 in Glasgow & Flemming Delfs 1977 in Sweden).[17] Axelsen, with a record of 4–3, is the only top twenty player to hold a winning record against Lin Dan, head-to-head.[22]

Axelsen followed up his victory in Glasgow by winning the finals of the Japan Open tournament in Tokyo over Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia in three sets on September 23, propelling him to the top of the BWF World Rankings.[23]

2018–2019: Second European Championships title

In 2018, Axelsen participated in the European Men's and Women's Team Badminton Championships and got a gold after suffered from a foot injury. He represented Denmark in the 2018 Thomas & Uber Cup. In the group stage, he defeated Vladimir Malkov from Russia and from Algeria. In the group stage match against Lee Chong Wei, he lost by two straight games 9–21, 19–21. In the quarter finals match against South Korea, he defeated Son Wan-ho, but he lost to the favorite and former world no. 2, Kento Momota in semi finals. Denmark was then eliminated in semi finals but not the defending champion of 2016 Thomas & Uber Cup. In August, Axelsen was unable to defend his world title where he was defeated by two-time World Champion and reigning Olympic Champion Chen Long in the quarter finals.[24]

2020: All England Open title

Axelsen started the season by competing in Indonesia Masters. He finished as the semi-finalists after lost to home player the seventh seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in two straight games.[25] In February, he managed to defend his title in Barcelona Spain Masters after beat the Thai youngster Kunlavut Vitidsarn in straight games 21–16, 21–13.[26] In March, he won the prestigious tournament All England Open, making history as the first European and Danes to lift the men's singles trophy since 1999.[27]

Achievements

Olympic Games

Men's singles

Year	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result
2016	Riocentro – Pavilion 4, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	Lin Dan	15–21, 21–10, 21–17	Bronze

BWF World Championships

Men's singles

Year	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result
2017	Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland	Lin Dan	22–20, 21–16	Gold
2014	Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark	Lee Chong Wei	9–21, 7–21	Bronze

European Championships

Men's singles

Year	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result
2018	Palacio de Deportes de Huelva, Huelva, Spain	Rajiv Ouseph	21–8, 21–7	Gold
2017	Sydbank Arena, Kolding, Denmark	Anders Antonsen	17–21, 16–21	Bronze
2016	Vendéspace, La Roche-sur-Yon, France	Jan Ø. Jørgensen	21–11, 21–16	Gold
2014	Gymnastics Center, Kazan, Russia	Jan Ø. Jørgensen	11–21, 13–21	Bronze
2012	Telenor Arena, Karlskrona, Sweden	Henri Hurskainen	21–18, 18–21, 17–21	Bronze

BWF World Junior Championships

Boys' singles

Year	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result
2011	Taoyuan Arena, Taipei, Taiwan	Zulfadli Zulkiffli	18–21, 21–9, 19–21	Silver
2010	Domo del Code Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico	Kang Ji-Wook	21–19, 21–10	Gold

European Junior Championships

Boys' singles

Year	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result
2011	Energia Areena, Vantaa, Finland	Rasmus Fladberg	21–8, 17–21, 21–13	Gold

BWF World Tour (5 titles, 3 runners-up)

The BWF World Tour, announced on 19 March 2017 and implemented in 2018,[28] is a series of elite badminton tournaments, sanctioned by Badminton World Federation (BWF). The BWF World Tour are divided into six levels, namely World Tour Finals, Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300 (part of the HSBC World Tour), and the BWF Tour Super 100.[29]

Men's singles

Year	Tournament	Level	Opponent	Score	Result
2020	All England Open	Super 1000	Chou Tien-chen	21–13, 21–14	Winner
2020	Spain Masters	Super 300	Kunlavut Vitidsarn	21–16, 21–13	Winner
2020	Malaysia Masters	Super 500	Kento Momota	22–24, 11–21	Runner-up
2019	India Open	Super 500	Srikanth Kidambi	21–7, 22–20	Winner
2019	All England Open	Super 1000	Kento Momota	11–21, 21–15, 15–21	Runner-up
2019	Spain Masters	Super 300	Anders Antonsen	21–14, 21–11	Winner
2018	Indonesia Open	Super 1000	Kento Momota	14–21, 9–21	Runner-up
2018	Malaysia Masters	Super 500	Kenta Nishimoto	21–13, 21–23, 21–18	Winner

BWF Superseries (4 titles, 7 runners-up)

The BWF Superseries, launched on 14 December 2006 and implemented in 2007, is a series of elite badminton tournaments, sanctioned by Badminton World Federation (BWF). BWF Superseries has two levels: Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season of Superseries features twelve tournaments around the world, which introduced since 2011, with successful players invited to the Superseries Finals held at the year end.

Men's singles

Year	Tournament	Opponent	Score	Result
2017	BWF Super Series Finals	Lee Chong Wei	19–21, 21–19, 21–15	Winner
2017	China Open	Chen Long	16–21, 21–14, 13–21	Runner-up
2017	Japan Open	Lee Chong Wei	21–14, 19–21, 21–14	Winner
2017	India Open	Chou Tien-chen	21–13, 21–10	Winner
2016	BWF Super Series Finals	Tian Houwei	21–14, 6–21, 21–17	Winner
2016	India Open	Kento Momota	15–21, 18–21	Runner-up
2015	BWF Super Series Finals	Kento Momota	15–21, 12–21	Runner-up
2015	Japan Open	Lin Dan	19–21, 21–16, 19–21	Runner-up
2015	Australian Open	Chen Long	12–21, 21–14, 18–21	Runner-up
2015	India Open	Srikanth Kidambi	21–18, 13–21, 12–21	Runner-up
2012	French Open	Liew Daren	18–21, 17–21	Runner-up

     Superseries Finals tournament

     Superseries Premier tournament

     Superseries tournament

BWF Grand Prix (1 title, 1 runner-up)

The BWF Grand Prix has two levels, the BWF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold. It is a series of badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) since 2007.

Men's singles

Year	Tournament	Opponent	Score	Result
2015	Swiss Open	Srikanth Kidambi	14–21, 24–22, 21–8	Runner-up
2014	Swiss Open	Tian Houwei	21–7, 16–21, 25–23	Winner

     BWF Grand Prix Gold tournament

     BWF Grand Prix tournament

BWF International Challenge/Series (4 titles, 2 runners-up)

Men's singles

Year	Tournament	Opponent	Score	Result
2013	Denmark International	Ville Lång	21–17, 21–8	Winner
2013	Dutch International	Eric Pang	24–22, 21–12	Winner
2011	Spanish Open	Pablo Abián	21–11, 7–21, 21–9	Winner
2011	Swedish International Stockholm	Pablo Abián	19–21, 6–21	Runner-up
2010	Cyprus International	Simon Maunoury	21–10, 21–11	Winner
2010	Swedish International Stockholm	Indra Bagus Ade Chandra	15–21, 12–21	Runner-up

     BWF International Challenge tournament

     BWF International Series tournament

Personal life

In addition to his native Danish, Axelsen is also a fluent speaker of English and Mandarin.[30] Viktor also has his webshop called Viktor Axelsen Collection.[31] He was inspired because many fans asked him for his merchandise, so at the end he decided to start a webshop where fans can get it.

Career overview

Singles Played Wins Losses Balance Total 492 360 132 +228 Current year (2020) 24 22 2 +20

Doubles Played Wins Losses Balance Total 1 0 1 –1 Current year (2020) 0 0 0 0

Record against selected opponents

Record against year-end Finals finalists, World Championships semi finalists, and Olympic quarter finalists. Accurate as of 17 March 2020.[32]

Player Matches Win Lost Diff. Bao Chunlai 1 1 0 +1 Chen Long 19 5 14 –9 Du Pengyu 2 0 2 –2 Lin Dan 9 6 3 +3 Shi Yuqi 5 4 1 +3 Tian Houwei 2 2 0 +2 Chou Tien-chen 12 10 2 +8 Anders Antonsen 5 3 2 +1 Peter Gade 1 0 1 –1 Jan Ø. Jørgensen 8 5 3 +2 Hans-Kristian Vittinghus 5 3 2 +1 Rajiv Ouseph 7 6 1 +5 Parupalli Kashyap 4 2 2 0 Srikanth Kidambi 8 5 3 +2 B. Sai Praneeth 3 3 0 +3

Player Matches Win Lost Diff. Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 6 2 4 –2 Taufik Hidayat 1 1 0 +1 Sony Dwi Kuncoro 2 2 0 +2 Tommy Sugiarto 7 5 2 +3 Kento Momota 15 1 14 –13 Sho Sasaki 5 3 2 +1 Lee Chong Wei 14 3 11 –8 Liew Daren 5 4 1 +3 Wong Choong Hann 2 1 1 0 Lee Hyun-il 4 1 3 –2 Son Wan-ho 12 7 5 +2 Boonsak Ponsana 3 2 1 +1 Kantaphon Wangcharoen 1 1 0 +1 Nguyễn Tiến Minh 1 1 0 +1

References

1. "Badminton World Championships: Viktor Axelsen beats Lin Dan to win singles gold". BBC. 28 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
2. Sachetat, Raphaël (25 April 2010). "World Juniors – Axelsen creates history". Badzine.net. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
3. "'Viktor-ious' Danes Dominate – Finals: European Championships 2016". Badminton World Federation. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
4. "Players: Viktor Axelsen". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
5. "Viktor Axelsen" (in Danish). Fyens Stiftstidende. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
6. "丹麦羽球新星：学北京腔将近两年 偶像是林丹". www.chinanews.com (in Chinese). 19 October 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
7. Stockholm, Frank. "Stor i slaget Viktor Axelsen saetter sin serv som han vil". www.udogse.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 5 August 2018.
8. Sukumar, Dev (3 May 2010). "Players – Axelsen – Hope springs anew for Denmark". Badzine.net. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
9. Bendix, Lasr (24 January 2010). "Gennembrud for fynsk badminton-es" (in Danish). Fyens Stiftstidende. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
10. Sachetat, Raphael (17 October 2010). "Cyprus Int'l – Axelsen is "Just too strong"". Badzine.net. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
11. Vandevorst, Elm (1 November 2010). "Denmark Open 2010 Finals – Jorgensen's First". Badzine.net. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
12. "Zápasy o titul mistra Evropy". Český badmintonový svaz. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
13. "Viktor Axelsen var sølle tre bolde fra at vinde ungdoms-VM" (in Danish). Politiken. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
14. Røsler, Manuel (28 October 2012). "Strong European performances in Paris". Badminton Europe. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
15. Nielsen, Erik (20 April 2012). "Axelsen ude af EM" (in Danish). DR. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
16. Røsler, Manuel (17 March 2014). "Adcocks and Axelsen triumph at Swiss Open". Badminton Europe. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
17. Vording, Frederik Alexander (28 August 2017). "Verdensmesteren kommer hjem: Her kan du hylde Viktor" (in Danish). TV 2 Lorry. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
18. "Viktor Axelsen (DEN)". www.yonex.com. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
19. Pavitt, Michael (14 February 2015). "Denmark and England win thrillers to reach final of European Mixed Team Badminton Championships". www.insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
20. Røsler, Manuel; Phelan, Mark (16 February 2015). "Denmark claim 15th title". www.badmintoneurope.com. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
21. Liew, Vincent (15 May 2015). "Sudirman Cup: Japan eliminates Denmark 3-2". www.badmintonplanet.com. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
22. BWF. "Lin's head-to-head record against other players". TournamentSoftware.com. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
23. Agence France-Presse (24 September 2017). "Viktor Axelsen wins first Japan Open title". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
24. "Axelsen shut out of semifinals at 2018 BWF World Championships". www.xinhuanet.com. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
25. Rahmani, Nadhira (18 January 2020). "INDONESIA MASTERS SF – Antonsen in hunt for repeat title". www.badzine.net. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
26. Busk Stie, Hans-Henrik (23 February 2020). "Viktor Axelsen vinder Spain Masters for andet år i træk". sport.tv2.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 18 March 2020.
27. Raftery, Alan (15 March 2020). "Viktor Axelsen is the All England champion: It is a dream come true!". www.badmintoneurope.com. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
28. "BWF Launches New Events Structure". Badminton World Federation. 29 November 2017.
29. "Action-Packed Season Ahead!". Badminton World Federation. 15 January 2018.
30. "Danish Badminton Player Speaks Chinese During Olympics (English + Chinese subs 中英字幕)". youtube.com. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
31. VA, Collection. "Viktor Axelsen Collection".
32. "Viktor Axelsen Head to Head". bwf.tournamentsoftware.com. Retrieved 18 March 2020.

External links

• Viktor AXELSEN at BWF.tournamentsoftware.com
• Viktor AXELSEN at BWFbadminton.com
• Official website (in English)
• Profile at BadmintonEurope.com

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Pernille Blume	Danish Sports Name of the Year 2017	Succeeded by Caroline Wozniacki