Denmark's flag-bearer for badminton Viktor Axelsen, 32, brought down the curtain on his illustrious career on Wednesday, claiming recurring back issues have left him unable “to compete at the highest level.” The two-time Olympic gold medallist and former No. 1 is adored all around the world, and ex-India badminton player and Chief National Coach Pullela Gopichand is no exception.

“He’s had a remarkable career. He’s been a great athlete as well as a great ambassador for the sport, which has been dominated by Asians, so it was good to see Viktor represent Europe so well. Axelsen was a big part of the transition from the Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei era to the current one,” Gopichand, an All England Open winner in 2001, told mid-day.