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Viktor Axelsen and Lakshya Sen will take on each other in a battle for the ages at the semifinals of the Paris Olympics. The Dane comes into the competition a favorite to retain the title he first claimed four years ago, and for good reason.
Axelsen had an early start to his now legendary career, beginning with a World Junior Championships gold in 2010, followed by European Championships gold in 2011. Playing in a field dominated by Asia, his victory at the 2010 Championships made him the first non-Asian to achieve this feat.
The tall Dane continued his rapid rise through the ranks, reaching the finals of various Grand Prix events, and claiming bronze at the 2014 World Championships. After a stellar 2015 saw him achieve the World No.6 rank, 2016 was the season Axelsen scripted history for Denmark.
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That year, the 30-year-old led Denmark to a historic win at the Thomas Cup, and claimed a bronze at the Rio Olympics, beating two-time champion Lin Dan in a hard fourth battle. A year later, he once again faced off against the Chinese, this time beating him in straight games to be crowned World Champion.
In 2021, Viktor Axelsen was crowned the Olympic champion after he beat Chen Long in the finals, and a year later he won his second World Championships gold. Additionally, the Dane spent almost all of 2022 undefeated, losing only twice, once to Lakshya Sen, and once to Log Kean Yew.
Despite an injury-riddled season, Axelson achieved new heights in his career last year as well, winning the Malaysia, Indonesia, and China Open Super 1000 events, as well as defending his World Tour Finals crown for the third time in a row.
Viktor Axelsen at the Paris Olympics
In typical Viktor Axelsen fashion, the great Dane has been indomitable at the Paris Olympics. The number two seed eased past his group stage matches, beating Nhat Nguyen, Misha Zilbermen, and Prince Dahal with ease.
In the knockout stage, Axelsen was gifted a bye for the round of 16, and took on former World Champion Loh Kean Yew in the quarters, sailing past the Singaporean 21-9, 21-17 in 49 minutes.
He will now suit up to battle India's Lakshya Sen in a bid to make his way to his third-consecutive Olympic medal.
