Blitz Bureau
PARIS gold medallist Viktor Axelsen, one the world’s greatest badminton player, is a Dubai resident. The 30-year-old Danish player is only the second male shuttler in history to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals.
Axelsen decided to move to Dubai in 2020 for a chance to train in some of the world’s best sports facilities.
A regular at Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex where he trains with his team of coaches, Axelsen said Dubai’s strategic location allows him to travel to Europe and east Asia easily for premier badminton events.
And sometimes, he even invites world-class players like Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion, and India’s Lakshya Sen, who he beat in the Paris semifinals, to train alongside him in Dubai, according to Khaleej Times.
After winning the gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Axelsen returned to Dubai to show his gratitude. Axelsen had also revealed why Dubai would always hold a special place in his heart.
“You know when I first played here in 2015 (Super Series), I reached the final and then in 2016 and 2017 at the Hamdan Sports Complex, I won the Super Series final twice. So, it’s a very special place for me,” he had said.
“I am really thankful and very happy to be here again. My experience of training here has been amazing.” The Dubai Sports Council congratulated Axelsen on his Paris Olympic gold.
“The quality of life and the quality of the stadiums in Dubai also motivated him to continue living and training there as per a precise training programme so that he could chase his second Olympic gold medal,” DSC said in a press release on August 7.
