TWO-TIME Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen shared insights on discipline, mental resilience, career success and life after retirement during his first-ever meet-and-greet session in Penang, where he engaged with staff and guests in a candid question-and-answer session covering his badminton journey, personal values and future aspirations.
In an-hour session moderated by Monitor ERP Southeast Asia chief executive officer Daniel Haggmark at Straits Quay today, the former world champion answered a series of questions posed to him.
The Danish badminton icon, who is in Penang for a short visit, also took time to experience local cuisine, describing his first taste of Penang food as enjoyable and memorable.
Speaking light-heartedly about the meal, Axelsen said he appreciated the local dishes served to him, particularly noting that while he is generally not fond of spicy food, the dishes were prepared mildly enough for him to enjoy.
“Everything was very nice and not too spicy, so it was good for me. I feel perfectly fine today,” he said, adding that he was pleased to have the opportunity to experience Penang’s food culture during his visit.
Reflecting on the foundations of his badminton success, Axelsen emphasised that mental strength had played a defining role throughout his professional career.
“The mental part of my game has always been very important. I worked hard on my mental game both on and off the court, and that has been a key driver in allowing me to keep improving and finding ways to get better,” he said.
He recalled that his confidence in reaching badminton’s highest level was solidified when he won the World Junior Championships at the age of 16, becoming the first European ever to capture the title.
“When I looked at the list of previous winners, there were so many big names who went on to achieve incredible things in badminton. That was when I realised that if I stayed healthy, avoided injuries and kept working hard, I had the chance to reach the next level,” he said.
Axelsen credited his parents for helping shape the mindset that guided him through his rise to the top, saying they constantly reminded him to remain humble and focus on his own progress rather than external comparisons.
“They always encouraged me to focus on becoming better every day and to stay grounded. That was something that helped me throughout my journey,” he said.
On his fiercest opponents, Axelsen highlighted Chinese badminton legend Lin Dan as one of the toughest players he ever faced.
“When I first played him, I remember being amazed by how good he was. Competing against players like him pushed me to elevate my own standards,” he said, adding that he considers himself fortunate to have competed against multiple generations of world-class players.
Asked whether he would consider coaching Malaysia’s men’s singles players in the future, Axelsen said he does not currently envision himself becoming a coach, though he acknowledged that circumstances can always change.
“I don’t see myself being a coach right now, but you never know what the future holds. Malaysia has such a proud badminton history and I hope to see more men’s singles players from Malaysia reach the very top of the world rankings,” he said.
Turning to the future of badminton globally, Axelsen said one of the first areas he would seek to improve if given the opportunity would be the sport’s tournament structure and calendar.
“There is a lot of travel and physical demand on players. I would definitely look at the system and schedule to create something more efficient, while also continuing to improve the tournament experience for players and fans,” he said.
Speaking candidly about retirement, Axelsen described the transition away from professional badminton as one of the most significant adjustments of his life.
“When you are an athlete for so many years, your whole identity is tied to being a badminton player. Retirement means having to rediscover yourself and learn how to function in a completely different environment. It is challenging, but also exciting,” he said.
He shared that despite retiring from elite competition, his daily routine remains packed with family responsibilities, business meetings, sponsorship commitments and personal projects.
“My priority now is spending time with my children, taking them to school and picking them up whenever I can. At the same time, I still train regularly and stay physically active, but there are many new projects and opportunities keeping me very busy,” he said.
Axelsen also revealed that he continues to actively use Mandarin and sees language learning as an important way of broadening opportunities and connections across the world.
“I still use Mandarin a lot. It has opened many doors for me. If I were to learn another language, it would probably be Japanese because of my connection to Japan and its importance in badminton,” he said.
Offering advice to younger athletes, including aspiring footballers and badminton players present at the session, Axelsen encouraged them to focus on consistency rather than becoming overly consumed by long-term goals.
“If you know what a near-perfect day looks like in terms of your preparation, focus on repeating that day as often as possible. If you win enough days, success will eventually follow,” he said.
When asked how he hopes to be remembered, Axelsen said he hopes his career serves as proof that dedication and self-belief can overcome perceived limitations.
“I hope people remember me as someone who inspired others to believe in themselves. I hope I showed that if you focus on your own potential, work hard and stay disciplined, you can break barriers and achieve more than people may expect,” he said.
The meet-and-greet concluded with Axelsen thanking attendees for their warm hospitality, describing Penang as a welcoming destination and expressing appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with local fans and guests during his visit.
In the afternoon, Axelsen was warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of fans upon his arrival at Relau Sport Complex, with many eager to catch a glimpse of the Danish ace and interact with one of badminton’s most accomplished players.
The event saw fans of all ages gathering at the venue, where Axelsen participated in a special engagement session that featured interactive fun games, a photo-taking session, as well as a lucky draw offering signed merchandise.
Axelsen also took time to mingle with supporters, posing for group photographs and sharing light-hearted moments with participants, much to the delight of the crowd.
The session provided a memorable opportunity for local badminton enthusiasts to meet the Olympic champion up close, as fans gave him a rousing welcome and cheered throughout the afternoon programme.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Siew Chia En