Source: REUTERS/ALAN BALDWIN
[Saba Sports News] If Kento Momota was the
dominant force in world badminton in 2018 and 2019, then Viktor Axelsen has
held that title for the past three or four years. During this period, Axelsen
achieved significant victories, including the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics
and the 2022 World Championships. He joined the ranks of Olympic and World
Championship gold medalists such as Taufik Hidayat, Lin Dan, and Chen Long,
establishing himself as a master of men’s singles. However, in the latest
badminton world rankings released on January 23, although Axelsen remains the
top-ranked men’s singles player, his ranking points have dropped below the
100,000-point mark, currently standing at 90,175 points. This is his lowest
score since 2021 and the first time he has fallen below 100,000 points since
November 30. Some fans argue that world ranking points reflect a player’s
overall performance in the past year. Only a few players have managed to reach
the 100,000-point milestone in the world rankings. This development suggests
that Axelsen may be on the decline. In the editor’s opinion, Axelsen’s recent
performances in competitions such as the 2023 World Championships and the 2024
Malaysian Open have not been outstanding, resulting in a significant loss of
ranking points. Nevertheless, he is still considered a favorite to win the gold
medal in the Paris Olympics.