Two-time Olympic gold medalist Viktor Axelsen retired from professional badminton on Wednesday, saying he was no longer able to train and compete at the highest level following back surgery last April.
The Dane, 32, spent more than 100 consecutive weeks as world No. 1, a mark surpassed by Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei overall, and won Olympic gold in Tokyo and Paris, as well as bronze in Rio in 2016.
Axelsen retires as one of the most decorated players in history, having also won two world titles and a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“Today is not an easy day for me. Because of my constant problems, I can no longer compete and train at a high level,” he said in a statement on social media.
“Accepting this situation has been very difficult. But now I have reached a point where my body does not allow me to continue.
“From the day I took up racing, I knew my dream was to be the best in the world,” Axelsen added.
