Back Injury Ends Career: Badminton Star Viktor Axelsen Retires from Sport

Two-time Olympic champion, 32, says competing at world-class level now ‘extremely difficult’ after recent injury

Surprising everyone, world badminton star and two-time Olympic champion from Denmark, Viktor Axelsen, has suddenly announced his retirement from badminton.

The athlete is currently only 32 years old. Announcing his retirement, he stated that due to a recent back injury, he has realized that continuing to compete in world-class badminton has become extremely difficult for him. Consequently, he has made the decision to retire.

Axelsen’s exit marks the end of an era in men’s singles. The Dane won gold at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and held the world No. 1 ranking for a record stretch.