Axelsen ends Long wait, Polii-Rahayu scores a first in doubles


Denmark's Viktor Axelsen hits a shot to China's Chen Long in their men's singles badminton final match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza in Tokyo on August 2, 2021. (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP)

PETALING JAYA: Viktor Axelsen wept like a baby after ending Denmark’s 25-year wait for a men’s singles gold medal.

His emotional celebration is well deserved as the 27-year-old held his ground for 51 minutes to defeat reigning champion Chen Long of China 21-15, 21-12 to become only the second Danish gold medallist in badminton after Poul-Erik Hoyer at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

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