5 best athletes for the week 16 May - 23 May

Viktor Axelsen

The World No. 4 took a rousing win in his team’s Thomas Cup victory this week

At last week’s Thomas and Uber Cup – the world’s premier badminton team event, it was team Denmark who came out on top in the former, the men’s tournament, with World No. 4 Viktor Axelsen starring in his team’s spirited performance, edging out Indonesia 3-2 for the title.

Although the country’s doubles players faltered, losing both ties, they put up a spirited performance in the singles, with Axelsen taking a spirited straight games victory over Indonesian top-10 player Tommy Sugiarto, beating him 21-17 21-18.

Sugiarto conceded the first game, but came back strongly in the second to take an 18-15 lead over the Dane, who then took six successive points to give Denmark the win and the lead.