Badminton Legend Viktor Axelsen Reveals Why He Doesn't Want His Kids to Follow in His Footsteps
His story inspires not only aspiring athletes but also parents striving to balance their careers and family life.
When you think of Viktor Axelsen, the first images that come to mind are likely of him dominating the badminton court, smashing shuttlecocks with precision and power.
But beyond the court, Viktor is also a dedicated father, navigating the challenges and joys of parenthood with the same determination and grace that have made him a world champion.
At a recent meet and greet event hosted by let’s eco®️ in Singapore, Viktor shared insights into his life as both a world-class athlete and a father of two.
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Viktor Axelsen and let’s eco®️: A Winning Combo
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As the global brand ambassador for let’s eco®️, Viktor Axelsen is the perfect embodiment of the brand’s values of health, excellence, and nurturing the champions of tomorrow.
The Danish organic milk powder brand, which recently won the coveted Product of the Year 2024 award in Singapore, aligns seamlessly with Viktor’s commitment to raising his daughters the Danish way.
At the meet and greet event, young parents and badminton fans got a chance to witness this dynamic duo in action, as Viktor shared his insights on balancing his career and family life.
The Journey of a Champion
Reflecting on his illustrious career, Viktor Axelsen discussed the lessons learned from his experiences. “In hindsight, you know, if you could go back and change stuff, there’s definitely things where I would have made some changes,” he shared.
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However, he emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes.
“I think you learn a lot from your mistakes, and I definitely did several of mistakes which I could have avoided if I went back and had an opportunity to give myself some tips, but I did. I don’t want to change anything, because, as I also said at the start, it’s like a journey, and you learn every single day.”
Encouraging Balanced Childhood Interests
When asked about his children’s interests in sports or other activities, Viktor shared his approach to encouraging their passions while ensuring a balanced childhood.
“I was asked by one of my friends if they would be future badminton players. And I said that, you know, they’re definitely really active both, because my wife is really active and I’m really active as well, and they both have a lot of energy.”
However, Viktor expressed a preference for his children to explore interests outside of badminton to avoid comparisons to his own accomplishments.
“…I think that people will always put them up against me and compare them to me and my accomplishments, and if they want to play best, and then they’re happy with it, I would love to, but I hope there will be physical activity for sure, because I think that’s really, really important, no matter what level.”
Ultimately, Viktor emphasizes the importance of physical activity and movement for his children’s overall well-being.
“I don’t care if they will be world champions or whatever they will but some physical movement and stuff is something which we actually set as a requirement for them, they have to move their body, because I think everything will function better if you move on a daily basis.”
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Parenting the Danish Way
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Viktor Axelsen and his wife, Natalia, are proud parents to two daughters, Vega and Aya. The couple embraces the Danish way of parenting, which focuses on fostering independence and resilience in children. Viktor’s approach to parenting mirrors his philosophy on the court — learning from experiences and continuously striving for improvement.
“I definitely become better at being rational about my own mistakes and learning from those experiences,” he noted, highlighting the parallels between his professional and personal life.
For Singaporean parents looking for a role model, Viktor Axelsen is a shining example of how to excel both on and off the court.
The Legacy of a Shuttlecock Superstar
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Viktor Axelsen’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, support, and continuous learning. Whether he’s smashing shuttlecocks on the badminton court or juggling bedtime stories at home with his two lovely daughters, Viktor embodies the spirit of a true champion.
His story inspires not only aspiring athletes but also parents striving to balance their careers and family life. As Viktor himself puts it, “It’s a journey, and you learn every single day.”
And with each step, or should we say, each serve, he inspires and motivates those around him to go for the championship point.
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