Over the past 25 years and seven Olympic badminton tournaments, only two non-Asian players have stood atop the podium — Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen and Spain’s Carolina Marín. These two icons reshaped men’s and women’s singles badminton with their distinct styles.
Now, after countless struggles and hesitations, both have made the difficult decision to step away from the sport. Their farewells may appear dramatic, but they pave the way for brighter futures. The words “I’m not ready to let go” echo in their hearts, yet they chose to reconcile with themselves. The decision is undoubtedly painful, but after this moment, life promises smoother paths ahead.
Badminton will forever remember the golden boy from the fairy-tale land and the matador who blossomed in the desert. As representatives of the sport, both stars have graced the cover of this magazine, leaving us with cherished interviews. Farewell, European stars! But this goodbye is not the end. They will undoubtedly reunite with badminton and with us in new ways.
On April 15, just ten days before the Denmark Thomas & Uber Cup was set to begin, Danish star Viktor Axelsen unexpectedly posted on social media. The post contained 18 photos filled with handwritten text, along with the caption “Grateful for everything” and a heart emoji. 
No one anticipated that Axelsen would announce his retirement at such a time and in such a manner. Though he had not competed for half a year and his world ranking had dropped outside the top 90, fans still waited for him to overcome his injuries, return to the court, and once again display his exceptional skills — as he had done many times before.
But this time, after two surgeries and multiple long recovery periods throughout his career, and after trying every possible method to regain peak training and competition levels, Axelsen finally made a choice. “Accepting this reality is incredibly tough for me, but my body sent a final signal — it can no longer support my journey as a competitor,” he wrote. These words reveal that even a two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time World Champion, and the dominant king of men’s singles for over a decade, can feel powerless against injuries.
Faced with inevitability, Axelsen chose to let go. He let go for his body, for the love of family and friends, and for a new chapter in life. In his sincere farewell message, he thanked many people, expressing gratitude and reluctance. His final words were “With love and gratitude.” 
Early Journey and Rise to Glory
Born in 1994 in Odense, Denmark — the hometown of fairy tales — Axelsen began badminton training at age six with his father. Though he once became a key player in a football club, his heart belonged to badminton, especially singles, where he could control the entire court.
His father was not only his first coach but also his biggest supporter, managing his affairs from youth and acting as his agent. After losing his first final as a child, his father taught him to be upset for just ten minutes, a rule Axelsen carried throughout his career.
In 2010, at age 16, Axelsen won the World Junior Championships, becoming the first European to claim that title. At 17, he moved to Copenhagen to focus on badminton, and by 2012, at 18, he reached his first Super Series final at the French Open, finishing as runner-up. Two years later, he earned a medal at the World Championships in Copenhagen, announcing his arrival among the elite.
2016 marked a turning point. He led Denmark to European Men’s Team gold, won his first European singles title, and helped Denmark win the Thomas Cup for the first time in history. At the Rio Olympics, he reached the semifinals, losing to eventual champion Chen Long, but then defeated Lin Dan to win bronze. Later that year, he captured the Dubai World Superseries Finals title. In 2017, he beat Lin Dan in the World Championship final to claim his first world title, ushering in the “Viktor Axelsen era.” 
Despite some ups and downs and an 11-match losing streak to Kento Momota, Axelsen seized the opportunity at the Tokyo Olympics, defeating Chen Long in the final to win gold. In the shortened Paris cycle, he was even more dominant: from 2020-2021, he won 11 titles including the Olympics; in 2022, he secured eight titles including his second World Championship gold; in 2023, he again won eight titles. Although he had only one 500-level title before the Paris Olympics in 2024, he successfully defended his Olympic gold, cementing his status as Europe’s greatest male badminton player in Olympic history.
Battling Injuries
Behind the glory was a constant battle with injury. As early as 2019, at age 25, Axelsen began suffering from back problems. After the Sudirman Cup in Nanning, he withdrew from the European Games and the Basel World Championships, resting for over three months. This led to a year-long title drought.
Back pain plagued him throughout his prime years, even during his most dominant Olympic campaigns and the 2022-2023 seasons. In 2020, he underwent his first lumbar endoscopic surgery, but the pandemic-delayed Olympics gave him time to recover and prepare for Tokyo. After defending his Paris Olympic gold, he balanced competition with health. In April 2025, worsening back pain forced a second endoscopic surgery. He returned to competition after five months, but results were poor. In his final four World Tour events, his best result was a semifinal loss to Shi Yuqi at the Danish Open. After a quarterfinal exit at the French Open, he paused competition and officially announced his retirement in mid-April 2026.
From peak to farewell, Axelsen’s back pain accompanied every movement and shot. While he nearly perfectly executed a strategy of coexisting with injuries, the pain and hardship were known only to him and his closest team.
A Unique Connection with China
Axelsen’s popularity among Chinese fans goes beyond his extraordinary achievements. His fluency in Mandarin and deep appreciation for Chinese culture have endeared him to millions.
When he first visited Beijing at age 12 for a training camp, he felt an immediate connection. “China felt completely different from Denmark — architecture, language, food. On days off, I visited historical sites with friends,” he recalled.
His Chinese name, An Sailong, was chosen with a teacher’s help at age 19. “An” derives from the sound of “Axelsen,” while “Sailong” means “a dragon that competes at its best” or “conquers kings,” reflecting his ambition. During tournaments in China, he readily speaks with local media, tries dumplings everywhere, joins square dancing in Changzhou, and even recites poetry on West Lake. His favorite Chinese proverb is “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” He also understands phrases like “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” demonstrating his deep cultural appreciation.
A Fulfilling Farewell
After 2020, Axelsen’s life transformed. He launched the renowned Dubai training camp, took a major step in professional badminton, and started a family, welcoming two daughters named An Weij
