Copenhagen, April 15 -- Viktor Axelsen has announced his retirement from professional badminton at the age of 32 on Wednesday. Axelsen explained ongoing physical limitations following back surgery in April 2025 as the reason for hanging up his boots.

The Danish shuttler retires as one of the most successful men's singles players in history, having won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, along with a bronze medal at Rio 2016. He also clinched World Championship titles in 2017 and 2022, according to the BWF website.

Axelsen said it was a difficult decision to step away from the sport, explaining that recurring back problems have made it impossible for him to continue training and competing at the highest level. He added that althou...