Badminton is bidding farewell to one of its greatest stars in Viktor Axelsen, who has announced his retirement at the age of 32.
The double Olympic and world champion has brought an end to his decorated career on the court, leading Denmark to break into the sport’s powerhouses with gold medals galore.
Axelsen’s retirement announcement on social media has been met with a heartwarming flood of tributes from across the sporting world, whether from Danish sport stars or fellow shuttlers.
Leading the tributes was Spaniard Carolina Marín, another Olympic champion who recently announced her retirement from badminton. “Happy retirement my friend!!” she said on social media, “We should enjoy the new chapter of life. Hope to see you soon around the world!”
Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who took home the silver medal representing Thailand after facing the Dane in the Paris 2024 men’s singles final, added: “Thank you for every battle we shared. You pushed me to be better every single time. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter.”
Viktor Axelsen bows out of badminton to the praise of rivals
Axelsen, 32, hangs up his racquet with the joint-second most Olympic badminton medals of any player since the sport’s Olympic debut at Barcelona 1992.
The Odense native medalled at all three of his Olympic Games: a bronze medal at his maiden appearance at Rio 2016 was followed by back-to-back golds in the men’s singles competition.
Singapore’s 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew shared a touching post in honour of his rival and good friend. “More than just a rival, you’ve been a true friend and an inspiration to so many of us,” he said. “The sport won’t be the same without you competing, but your legacy will stay with all of us.”
“Badminton is blessed to have you,” lauded Youth OIympic medallist Lakshya Sen of India, “and it will remember you as one of the greatest to ever play the game, but what truly sets you apart isn’t just the champion you are, it’s the person you are, that stays far beyond matches and medals”.
Two-time Olympian Jonatan Christie said: “Happy retirement, Champ! It was an honor to share the field with you”, while Anthony Sinikusa Ginting, Olympic bronze medallist at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, commented, “Happy retirement buddy! Congrats for an amazing career! Wishing you all the best for your next chapter of life!”
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Two-time badminton Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen has done it all and won it all but how does he go about daily life? And what is the secret to his consistency? “Every day is an exam for me,” the Dane tells us.
Danish sport lauds double Olympic champion Axelsen
One of Axelsen’s greatest achievements has been spearheading the growth of badminton in his native Denmark, retiring as one of their most decorated Olympians.
Christian Eriksen, the record appearance maker for the men’s national football team, paid tribute with a string of emojis – “❤️🏸🫡 🇩🇰🔥🙌” – while Brazil’s three-time table tennis Olympian Hugo Calderano simply commented two goat emojis.
Denmark’s handball stars, including Mathias Gidsel, were in awe of Axelsen. “Saw you live at the Paris Olympics – and wow! Never have I seen such a complete athlete in real life,” he said. “At the same time, you are so down to earth and real – a huge inspiration to the rest of us.”
Gidsel’s teammate, Rasmus Lauge Schmidt, said: “Viktor!! Thank you for all the experiences”, and there were kind words from another Danish Olympic medallist wrestler, Turpal Ali Bisultanov: “Happy retirement Viggo! Such a great athlete and even better human being. Hope to see you soon.”
Denmark’s No. 1 tennis player, Clara Tauson, kept it short and sweet. “Congratulations on the most amazing career Viktor! Legend forever,” said the world No. 18.
Axelsen may have retired from professional sport, but his name will always be etched into the history books of badminton and Denmark.
