Tokyo: The men’s singles World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen has now won a record-extending 38 consecutive wins after clinching the 2022 World Championships title on Sunday.
Axelsen defeated World No. 17 Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand 21-5, 21-16 in 50 minutes to win his second World title. The Tokyo Olympic champion won his first World Championships in 2017 when he beat Lin Dan 22-20, 21-16.
Highlights of Viktor Axelsen vs. Kunlavut Vitidsarn in 2022 World Championships final:
After the match, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) jokingly described Axelsen as a player from another planet.
“This is a very interesting statement, I can confirm that I am from this planet. Thanks, everyone for the compliments,” laughed Axelsen in response to the out of this planet statement.
After winning the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold, Axelsen was clearly to have elevated his game to another whole new level.
“Many people have a lot of trust in me. They think I am a good player, and that gave me a lot of motivation. But honestly, I am just trying to stay focused and play my best when I am on the court,” added Axelsen.
“Tokyo is one of my favorite cities and it is the country where my main sponsor is from. Therefore, I would like to do well in Tokyo. I was playing in an empty stadium when I won the gold medal at Tokyo Olympics. Therefore, it’s special to be able to come back and compete here. I am happy with my performance,” continued Axelsen.
In mixed doubles, World No. 1 Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong who won their first two World Championships title in 2018 and 2019, took home their third World Championships title as a pair on Sunday by outlasting Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino of Japan 21-13, 21-16. They also recorded their winning streak to 35 matches after Sunday’s victory.
“I am very excited and very happy. At this moment, I feel like I have finally gotten some relief,” said Zheng Siwei who lost to compatriots Wang Yilv/Huang Dong Ping in the Tokyo Olympics final.
In women’s singles, defending champion Akane Yamaguchi rallied from a game down to see off the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist – Chen Yufei 21-12, 10-21, 21-14 and to retain the women’s singles title on home turf.
The women’s doubles final saw Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan become the second women’s doubles pair in the history of badminton to win three World Championships titles (2017, 2021, 2022). Chen/Jia overcame Kim So Yeong/Kong Hee Yong of Korea 22-20, 21-14 in the final.
Another women’s pair that has won three women’s doubles world championships was Gao Ling/Huang Sui who claimed the world title in 2001, 2003, and 2006.
