Badminton: Viktor Axelsen retains men’s singles Olympic title
After that narrow bronze-medal match, the final between Viktor Axelsen and Kunlavut Vitidsarn is a lot more comparatively one-sided.
Axelsen was world number one for two and a half years before being deposed earlier this year by Shi Yuqi, and that’s showing.
Kunlavut, still relatively fresh to the very top ranks of the world stage after his run to the world title in 2023, can’t get a foothold at all against the Dane.
Roared on by many Danish fans who’ve travelled to Paris chanting "Denmark", Axelsen completes a straight-games win. 21-11, 21-11. Axelsen turns around and has a huge smile on his face. Then he crosses over to the other half of the court and gives Kunlavut a big hug.
Kunlavut was never really in that second game, although he mounted a late attempted rally. "Viktor, Viktor" rings around the La Chapelle Arena.
Axelsen becomes just the second repeat winner of this title after the great Lin Dan in 2008 and 2012.