Dane Axelsen beats CHEN to gold in men's singles badminton; Ginting of Indonesia takes bronze
Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen won the gold in the men’s singles badminton by beating CHEN Long (silver) while Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting scooped bronze.
Badminton
Viktor Axelsen of Denmark took the gold medal in the men’s singles badminton here at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (in 2021), denying a repeat title to the People’s Republic of China's CHEN Long in certain fashion (2-0) on 2 August at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza BDM Court 1.
Axelsen, who won bronze at the 2016 Rio Games, was aggressive from the start and he took the first game 21-15 and overwhelmed CHEN in the second (21-12).
"This is the biggest achievement of my career so to have this around my neck is the most awesome feeling ever,” Axelsen said after the big win. "I think you can say that I’ve been at my absolute best. When you win an Olympic final in straight games like this against CHEN Long, you’ve been at least really, really close to your best, I’m so happy.”
Both players are tall and powerful and they routinely mixed precision smashes along the edges of the court with delicate touch shots near the net. Some of the entertaining rallies approached a minute in length.
CHEN had been trying to become the second man from China PR in a row to win back-to-back Olympic golds in the sport. LIN Dan won titles at the 2008 Beijing and London 2012 Games.
Chen's loss will be keenly felt back home, which has had two uneven Olympic editions after a long reign of dominance in the sport. The Chinese swept all five gold medals at London 2012 in badminton, which officially entered the Olympic Programme in 1992 in Barcelona.
“In truth, I could do better today. But I tried my best," Chen said. "Next time I have to do better than that. I think this competition was the hardest in my career and I wish I could perform better. There were many matches at the Olympics, but I didn't give up on any of them. That’s the most important thing for me."
Earlier in the day, Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting won the bronze medal, ending the surprise run of Kevin Cordon of Guatemala.
“I’m very happy. I’m glad I could win the bronze medal at my first Olympics," Ginting said. "I want to appreciate everyone for supporting me.I was coming for the medal, regardless of how well the opponent might play. I wanted to show my best performance for the medal, and I’m happy I could do just that.
“I’m feeling the bronze medal," he added. "The medal is for Indonesia. It means so much to me, my family, Indonesian badminton, and its supporters.