Copenhagen: For the third time, Viktor Axelsen has been named Denmark’s Sports Name of the Year, a.k.a Denmark’s Sportsperson of the Year, an achievement no individual Danish athlete has accomplished before.
Axelsen, who won gold at the Paris Olympics this summer, was crowned Sports Name of the Year 2024 on Saturday. It’s his third career win, following victories in 2017 and 2021.
No other individual athlete has achieved this feat, with only Denmark’s women’s handball team has won the award three times.
The honor, awarded by the Danish Sports Federation (DIF) and Team Denmark, recognizes Axelsen’s historic third consecutive Olympic medal—his second straight gold.
The Olympic gold from the 2024 Paris Games was the primary reason why Axelsen, on his 31st birthday, was celebrated on stage at Boxen in Herning.
With applause from the audience, Denmark’s King Frederik announced the badminton star from Odense as the winner of the prestigious award.
“He’s a strong competitor, and everything in his life revolves around optimizing his performance on the court. That dedication has taken him far—especially in 2024—when he dominated his opponents on his way to a third consecutive Olympic medal.”
“In addition to being the best on the court, Viktor Axelsen is also a tremendous role model, inspiring adults and children both on and off the court,” said Hans Natorp, chairman of DIF.
Axelsen was among the final three nominees for the award, alongside the Danish men’s handball team and sailor Anne-Marie Rindom.
Team Denmark chairman Lars Krarup called Axelsen an outstanding example of what focus and dedication can achieve.
“To win Olympic gold for the second consecutive time is an accomplishment that cements his place as one of the greatest badminton players in history.”
“Despite facing injuries throughout the year, he delivered at the highest level at the Olympics. He’s an incredible inspiration and a huge role model for everyone in Danish sports,” Krarup said.
The Unstoppable Axelsen
At the Paris Olympics, Axelsen, won decisively in all his matches, not losing a single set on his way to gold.
He won the final with scores of 21-11, 21-11 against world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand.
With this performance, he became the first Danish badminton player to win two Olympic golds and only the second player in history to win consecutive Olympic golds in men’s singles after Lin Dan of China won it in 2008, and 2012.
Despite being plagued by injuries in 2024, Axelsen also secured titles in Malaysia Open and Hong Kong in addition to his Olympic gold.
The Sports Name of the Year award has been presented since 1991. Last year, the men’s handball team won the honor, while cyclist Jonas Vingegaard claimed it the year before.
This is the second major award Axelsen has won within a month. In December, his international badminton colleagues voted him the BWF Male Badminton Player of the Year.
