Olympics Badminton Gold Winner Viktor Axelsen Swaps Shirt With Opponent. Tradition Began In 2016

There's no denying that sporting rivalries, at times, go a little out of hand. We have seen opponents battling it out, even physically, particularly on football fields. Sledging is pretty common in cricket. But for every unpalatable moment on the field, there are far better and far more emotional moments that leave you overwhelmed and wanting to watch the sport even more. There have already been quite a few such instances in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. Let's talk about the one we witnessed last night. 

After the conclusion of the men's singles badminton final, Denmark's Viktor Axelsen exchanged his shirt with China's Chen Long as a mark of respect for his opponent. Mr Axelsen bagged the gold after defeating Mr Long, who claimed the title in Rio back in 2016. 

The official account of Olympics 2020 has shared the beautiful moment on Twitter. "During the men's singles badminton final last night, Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark traded shirts with silver medallist Chen Long of China as a symbol of respect to his opponent," the tweet read. It then asked the viewers to take a look at the tweet below to know the origins of this tradition in badminton.  

During the men's singles badminton final last night, Olympic champion @ViktorAxelsen of Denmark traded shirts with silver medallist Chen Long of China as a symbol of respect to his opponent. ❤️????

View the thread below to see where this beautiful tradition started!@bwfmedia pic.twitter.com/hQJ8XfObbc

— Olympics (@Olympics) August 3, 2021

This tradition at the Olympics began five years ago when Malaysian badminton star Lee Chong Wei and the double Olympic champion from China, Lin Din, swapped their shirts in the men's singles semi-final at Rio. After the game, the two players embraced each other and exchanged their jerseys. "Take a look at the beginning of the tradition between legendary Malaysian Badminton player Lee Chong Wei, and double Olympic champion from China, Lin Dan," read the tweet from the official handle of Olympics 2020.

Take a look at the beginning of the tradition between legendary #MAS Badminton player Lee Chong Wei, and double Olympic champion from #CHN, Lin Dan. pic.twitter.com/B1SnivbvJP

— Olympics (@Olympics) August 3, 2021

Fans and supporters of both players cherished the moment.

"This was amazing to see. Maybe there is hope for the human race after all," wrote a user.

This was amazing to see ???? Maybe there is hope for human race after all... ????

— Cookie & Popcorn ???? (@CookieXPopcorn) August 3, 2021

Another user said, "This is the real Olympics spirit, they are competitors, but they respect each other, I've been touched."

This is the real Olympics spirit, they are competiter, but they respect each other, I've been touched.

— Bella Zhang ???????? (@BellaZh20426444) August 3, 2021

Here are a few more reactions:

The beauty of the sports ♥️

— Billy (@iamBilly03) August 3, 2021

Sportmanship ????????????

— Fratezo (@Fratezovs) August 3, 2021

I don't think we'll ever see a more iconic and fierce rivalry between Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei.

— nowherefarhan ???? (@nowherefarhan) August 3, 2021

Super Dan and legendary Lee Chong Wei. The two most iconic rival in modern badminton era

— zhi nan (@_passby) August 3, 2021

Considered two of the most brutal smashers in the world, Mr Axelsen and Mr Long fought it out for nearly an hour, involving flash shots and rallies. "He told me that I deserved it, and my performance here has been great. And I said 'Thank you so much and that he has been a big inspiration to me," Mr Axelsen said after the match.