Viktor Axelsen becomes double Olympic champion after defeating Kunlavut Vitidsarn in final

Viktor Axelsen has achieved the remarkable feat of becoming a double Olympic champion. The Danish badminton star successfully reclaimed the men’s singles title in the final held on Monday afternoon, decisively defeating Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the defending world champion, with a score of 21-11, 21-11.

Initially, the Thai player was able to keep up, but Axelsen quickly showcased his exceptional skill. He played with focused intensity, giving Vitidsarn little opportunity to counter. The atmosphere was electric as the two finalists entered the arena, where Vitidsarn started strong, but Axelsen responded effectively by turning the tide.

After some back-and-forth exchanges, Axelsen gained the upper hand, ultimately taking an 11-5 lead in the first set before closing it out 21-11. His dominance continued into the second set, where he capitalized on Vitidsarn’s mistakes to build an early 4-1 advantage. Despite a brief rally from the Thai player, Axelsen maintained his position, extending the score to 11-3 at the midpoint.

As the match progressed, Vitidsarn struggled to string together points, while Axelsen’s precision and strategic play kept him ahead, allowing the Dane to earn nine match points. He secured victory on his first match point, mirroring his triumph in Tokyo three years earlier. The gold medal once again found its place around Viktor Axelsen’s neck, marking another high point in his illustrious career as the most successful male singles player in Olympic history.