Viktor Axelsen wants to avoid people who tell him that he has received a definite Olympic gift in Sunday’s semi-final.
But he has.
In the battle for a place in the final, the Olympic sensation awaits – world number 59, Kevin Cordon from Guatemala. A player that Axelsen has never met before.
It must be started as a semi-final, where Viktor Axelsen is the huge favorite.
Photo: Liselotte Sabroe
“I have to stop talking to people who will constantly mention that I am the big favorite. I just have to go in and take it like a badminton match, “said Axelsen after his quarter-final victory over Shi Yu Qi.
‘Of course it is a great chance to go to a final. Of course there is. “
“But it is also a good opportunity to think about everything other than playing badminton. And at least I did not intend to go down that road! “
Viktor Axelsen screamed ‘further, further’ when he had beaten Chinese Shi Yu Qi 21-13, 21-13 in the Olympic quarterfinals on Saturday noon.
Photo: Liselotte Sabroe
The jubilation was almost worthy of a gold medal – and the victory felt almost like that, Axelsen explained afterwards.
“It was one of the big fights. It might as well have been a final or semi-final. Even though I had been driven up a bit as a favorite, I saw it more as a 50-50 match. “
“So I’m just happy – in terms of my cheers, I’m just saying: look down at the Olympic rings, you know why!”
»It’s the Olympics! Of course, you are more emotional than usual, “said the Odense resident.
