Next month, the world of badminton will be focused on Tokyo for the much-awaited Olympic Games. One of the players backed to make a strong bid for the gold is the reigning bronze medallist, Viktor Axelsen. Let’s take a look at how he won the bronze and how different things look this time.
As we have come to be used to, messaging his fans in three languages, English, Danish and Chinese, the Dane wrote:
-Back in 2016, a dream of mine came true by winning a medal at the Olympics. I am excited and thankful to now be preparing for what will be my second Olympics.
The 2016 Olympic Games took place in Rio de Janeiro at the Riocentro, the largest exhibition centre in Latin America. It is quite odd to note that this took place now half a decade ago.
Much has been made of Viktor Axelsen’s battle to improve his seeding going into Tokyo, which is now fourth, avoiding a chance of an all-Danish clash before the semifinal, with Antonsen at number three. In fact, Axelsen was also seeded fourth in Rio. Perhaps a good omen for what is to come.
In the lead up to the 2016 Rio Olympics, Axelsen had a few notable career wins. He became European Champion for the first time in La Roche-sur-Yon, France, defeating Jan Ø Jørgensen in straight games. He was also part of the historic and unforgettable moment Denmark lifted the Thomas Cup in Kunshan, China, defeating Indonesia 3-2 in a sensational final.
Things were building up nicely, but with a little over two months before the Olympics, there was a bump in the road. Axelsen withdrew early in the deciding game of his first-round clash against China’s Huang Yu Xiang. Not the Indonesian Open he wanted before the biggest tournament of his career.
Rejoice in Rio
Axelsen, then 22, was not seen again until the Olympics and found himself in Group L. After comfortably dispatching Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana, who was playing his fifth Olympics, and Korea’s Lee Dong Keun, things were looking promising.
In the round of 16, Axelsen faced the Denmark-based Irishman, Scott Evans, who upset the twelfth seed Marc Zwiebler in the group stages. Surpassing that test he moved onto Team GB and Rajiv Ouseph in the quarterfinals. After another stellar straight game win, Axelsen booked a spot in the final four and was where he wanted to be in order to fight for the Olympic podium.
Chen Long, the reigning double World Champion at the time, was a step too far and shut the door on the final with a strong two-game win. Axelsen faced no less than the double Olympic Champion and badminton legend, Lin Dan, in the bronze medal match.
The two played three times in the year before this match (2015). There was something about Axelsen’s game that did not sit well a more passive yet streetwise Lin Dan, approaching the eve of his career. The Chinese legend squeezed out a win in the Japan Open final, famously coming back from 11-3 down in the decider. Axelsen however scored wins in Australia and Denmark, the latter being a shocking 21-8, 21-7 win.
In Rio, Lin Dan looked more at home, taking the first game 21-15. Settling his nerves, Axelsen then delivered a game akin to his performance back home in Odense, Denmark. This was continued into the deciding game, with Axelsen winning the first four points. At 8-3 up, the nerves seemed to kick in again. Perhaps flashbacks from that final in Japan were bubbling up to the surface.
Now or never
A long and perhaps pivotal rally at 10-9 ended with a tight line call in favour of Axelsen. Lin Dan wanted to challenge but failed to remember that he had run out. Axelsen made it to the break 11-9 up.
Despite this, the calmness of Lin Dan gave him the lead at 15-13. At this point, Axelsen took a longer glance at his coaches, as if making a decision – now or never. In the next few rallies, he really took control of the net game. Battling back to 17-17, the match was poised nicely.
Uncharacteristically, Lin Dan pushed an easy lift long. Again, Axelsen looked towards his coaches and took a sharp intake of breath, perhaps beginning to believe that today was his day. Three quick smash winners in the space of 90 seconds caused Axelsen to grab his head in disbelief. The look of shock on his face before the tears of joy came flooding in. He had done it. He was an Olympic bronze medalist!
What will Tokyo bring?
Over the five years since that special moment, Axelsen has won twelve titles, another European gold and that 2017 World Championships in Glasgow, defeating that man again, Lin Dan, in the final.
This year, with the disjointed tournament calendar, Axelsen has been the in-form singles player, winning both Thailand Opens back-to-back, coming up just short against teammate Antonsen at the BWF World Tour Finals. He took Swiss Open comfortably before inflicting revenge on Antonsen at the All England Open 2021, only for the young Malaysian star, Lee Zii Jia, to stop him from defending his title.
The last time we saw Axelsen on court was in Kyiv for the 2021 European Championships. Defeating Kalle Koljonen 21-14, 21-14, he entered the final only to be forced to concede the final due to a positive COVID-19 test result. Another late ‘bump in the road’ before the Olympics. Now fully recovered, we know how well he can bounce back and perform on the biggest stage of all.
-I am more motivated than ever. Let us enjoy the process.
There are many unknowns going into Tokyo. What is the form of the Chinese players, reigning Olympic Champion, Chen Long and Shi Yuqi? Is Lee Zii Jia the real deal? How dangerous is a rested Chou Tien Chen? Is Anders Antonsen indeed ‘the next one’. Will Kento Momota find his top-level at home?
However, one thing is for sure, the spectacle will be unmissable and Axelsen is desperate for that final!
The badminton at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo is scheduled to take place between 24 July and 2 August 2021.