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Viktor Axelsen

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Viktor Axelsen
Axelsen at the 2018 Indonesia Masters
Personal information
CountryDenmark
Born (1994-01-04) 4 January 1994 (age 30)
Odense, Denmark
ResidenceValby, Denmark
Height1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
Years active2010
HandednessRight
Men's singles
Career record360 wins, 132 losses
Highest ranking1 (28 September 2017)
Current ranking4 (17 March 2020)
Medal record
Men's badminton
Representing  Denmark
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Singles
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Glasgow Men's singles
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Copenhagen Men's singles
Sudirman Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Kuala Lumpur Mixed team
Thomas Cup
Gold medal – first place 2016 Kunshan Men's team
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Wuhan Men's team
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Bangkok Men's team
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2016 La Roche-sur-Yon Men's singles
Gold medal – first place 2018 Huelva Men's singles
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Karlskrona Men's singles
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Kazan Men's singles
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Kolding Men's singles
European Mixed Team Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Leuven Mixed team
Gold medal – first place 2017 Lubin Mixed team
Gold medal – first place 2019 Copenhagen Mixed team
Silver medal – second place 2013 Moscow Mixed team
European Men's Team Championships
Gold medal – first place 2012 Amsterdam Men's team
Gold medal – first place 2014 Basel Men's team
Gold medal – first place 2016 Kazan Men's team
Gold medal – first place 2018 Kazan Men's team
Gold medal – first place 2020 Liévin Men's team
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2010 Guadalajara Boys' singles
Silver medal – second place 2011 Taipei Boys' singles
European Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2011 Vantaa Boys' singles
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Vantaa Mixed team
BWF profile

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]

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 Dane 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 China Lin Dan 15–21, 21–10, 21–17 Bronze Bronze

BWF World Championships

Men's singles

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

European Championships

Men's singles

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

BWF World Junior Championships

Boys' singles

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

European Junior Championships

Boys' singles

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

BWF World Tour (7 titles, 4 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
2018 Malaysia Masters Super 500 Japan Kenta Nishimoto 21–13, 21–23, 21–18 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2018 Indonesia Open Super 1000 Japan Kento Momota 14–21, 9–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2019 Spain Masters Super 300 Denmark Anders Antonsen 21–14, 21–11 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2019 All England Open Super 1000 Japan Kento Momota 11–21, 21–15, 15–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2019 India Open Super 500 India Srikanth Kidambi 21–7, 22–20 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2020 Malaysia Masters Super 500 Japan Kento Momota 22–24, 11–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2020 Spain Masters Super 300 Thailand Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21–16, 21–13 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2020 All England Open Super 1000 Chinese Taipei Chou Tien-chen 21–13, 21–14 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2020 (I) Thailand Open Super 1000 Hong Kong Ng Ka Long 21–14, 21–14 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2020 (II) Thailand Open Super 1000 Denmark Hans-Kristian Vittinghus 21–11, 21–7 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2020 BWF World Tour Finals World Tour Finals Denmark Anders Antonsen 16–21, 21–5, 17–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up

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
2012 French Open Malaysia Liew Daren 18–21, 17–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2015 India Open India Srikanth Kidambi 21–18, 13–21, 12–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2015 Australian Open China Chen Long 12–21, 21–14, 18–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2015 Japan Open China Lin Dan 19–21, 21–16, 19–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2015 Dubai World Superseries Finals Japan Kento Momota 15–21, 12–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2016 India Open Japan Kento Momota 15–21, 18–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2016 Dubai World Superseries Finals China Tian Houwei 21–14, 6–21, 21–17 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2017 India Open Chinese Taipei Chou Tien-chen 21–13, 21–10 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2017 Japan Open Malaysia Lee Chong Wei 21–14, 19–21, 21–14 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2017 China Open China Chen Long 16–21, 21–14, 13–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2017 Dubai World Superseries Finals Malaysia Lee Chong Wei 19–21, 21–19, 21–15 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
  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
2014 Swiss Open China Tian Houwei 21–7, 16–21, 25–23 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2015 Swiss Open India Srikanth Kidambi 14–21, 24–22, 21–8 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
  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
2010 Swedish International Stockholm Indonesia Indra Bagus Ade Chandra 15–21, 12–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2010 Cyprus International France Simon Maunoury 21–10, 21–11 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2011 Swedish International Stockholm Spain Pablo Abián 19–21, 6–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
2011 Spanish Open Spain Pablo Abián 21–11, 7–21, 21–9 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2013 Dutch International Netherlands Eric Pang 24–22, 21–12 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2013 Denmark International Finland Ville Lång 21–17, 21–8 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
  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] Axelsen 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.

Axelsen girlfriend, Natalia Koch Rohde, gave birth to a baby girl named Vega Rohde Axelsen on 15 October 2020.[32]

Career overview

Record against selected opponents

Record against year-end Finals finalists, World Championships semi finalists, and Olympic quarter finalists. Accurate as of 17 March 2020.[33]

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. ^ a b "Players: Viktor Axelsen". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  5. ^ a b "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. ^ a b Stockholm, Frank. "Stor i slaget Viktor Axelsen saetter sin serv som han vil". www.udogse.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  8. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ Asferg, Mikkel (16 October 2020). "Viktor Axelsen er blevet far". sport.tv2.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  33. ^ "Viktor Axelsen Head to Head". bwf.tournamentsoftware.com. Retrieved 18 March 2020.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Danish Sports Name of the Year
2017 		Succeeded by
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