PETALING JAYA: Beware of wounded tiger Viktor Axelsen!
Expect the Danish men singles shuttler to come roaring back in the second half of the year with his eyes set on the World Championships from Aug 25-31 in Paris after an injury-disrupted year so far.
The two-time former world champion has been sidelined since April due to a back issue and underwent surgery but has returned to training and is set to make a strong comeback in the world meet.
And this should serve as a warning for the others, who have had one less strong hurdle to deal with in the last few tournaments.
Former great Datuk Rashid Sidek said the return of Axelsen will make the men’s singles interesting again.
“We need a strong calibre player like Viktor to add spice in the men’s singles contest. His return bring back the excitement,” said Rashid.
“The Dane has set the standard very high and if his back to his best form (after the injury), we can expect good matches in upcoming tournaments, especially at this year’s world meet.”
Axelsen will be out to become only the second men’s singles player after Chinese legend Lin Dan to capture the world title more than twice after his previous victories in 2017 and 2022.
Lin Dan won the crown a record five times in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Before his injury troubles, Axelsen won the Indian Open and German Open titles and will be keen to get back to his best form in his bid to chase Lin Dan’s record.
The Dane will also be spurred on by sweet memories as the prestigious meet this time will be held at Adidas Arena in Port de la Chapelle which is the same venue as the Paris Olympics last August where Axelsen memorably won his second consecutive gold in the showpiece event.
Among the other contenders for the men’s singles title in the world meet are Thailand’s world No. 1 and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, China’s world No. 3 Shi Yuqi and Axelsen’s teammate Anders Antonsen.
In the last edition in 2023, Kunlavut created history by becoming the first Thai shuttler to win the men’s singles crown after beating Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.
Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia is also expected to return in the second half of the year but it’s unsure whether he would be able to keep up with the pace after being out for a long time this year.
The draw will be released on Aug 12.
