Viktor Axelsen has once again claimed the Olympic badminton title.
The 30-year-old Danish player successfully defended his men’s singles gold by defeating Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-11, 21-11 in just 52 minutes.
In a triumphant celebration, Axelsen ran around the court waving the red-and-white Danish flag, as fans chanted his name: “Viktor! Viktor!” He delighted a young fan by handing over his racket and was met with a continuous standing ovation from the crowd.
Axelsen has made history as the first European to win back-to-back badminton singles gold medals at the Olympics.
His victory in Paris marks the only gold medal earned by a European in the sport, just like his win in Tokyo three years ago.
In other events, South Korea’s An Se-young captured the women’s singles gold by defeating China’s He Bingjiao 21-13, 21-16.
Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia secured the bronze medal by overcoming India’s Lakshya Sen with scores of 13-21, 21-16, 21-11 at the Port de La Chapelle Arena in Paris.
Indonesia’s Gregoria Tunjung was awarded the women’s singles bronze by default, as Spain’s Carolina Marin was forced to retire during her semi-final against China’s He due to a serious knee injury.
“We met in the medical centre after the matches,” Tunjung said, adding that Marin congratulated her. “Carolina said her condition was very bad.
“I hope she can continue playing badminton.”
An was already the women’s singles world’s number one player and world champion. Her presence on court has been compared to that of China’s Lin Dan, widely thought to be the best men’s singles badminton player of his generation as a two-time Olympic gold medallist and a five-time World champion.
On Monday, An had large bandages strapped around her right leg, which she injured at the 2023 Asian Games. She had to withdraw during the 2024 India Open in January after causing more damage.
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“My injury was very difficult to overcome. At first there was a little bit of a misdiagnosis,” An said, adding by the time they re-diagnosed it there was very little time before the Olympics. “My coach helped me through.”
“I always try to dream big and have the confidence that I can achieve that dream,” An said. “My golden age is not here yet because I’m still young – I will be able to show better games to you.”
The 22-year-old An powered through in Paris, however, as her controlled pacing finished off He, with the pair at one point delivering a rally that lasted nearly a minute.
The South Korea fans came to the arena in droves to chant the name of their last hope of a Paris gold medal in badminton.
The country is the sport’s third-most successful at the Olympics after China and Indonesia, medalling at least once in each Games since badminton became an Olympic sport in 1992.
“When I go home, I’ll go with a champagne bottle in my hand,” said An.
China won five badminton medals; two silvers and three bronze. South Korea, Japan and Malaysia had two apiece.