<p>Denmark's Viktor Axelsen won Olympic badminton gold on Monday in Tokyo, becoming the first non-Asian man to win the singles title since 1996.</p>.<p>World number two Axelsen beat China's defending champion Chen Long 21-15, 21-12, taking control early and never loosening his grip in a relentless performance.</p>.<p>Axelsen, who won bronze at the 2016 Rio Games, followed in the footsteps of compatriot Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, the Atlanta Games champion and the last winner from outside Asia.</p>.<p>Hoyer-Larsen, now world badminton's president, was in the arena to watch Axelsen match his achievement.</p>.<p>World number six Chen was bidding to emulate legendary Chinese player Lin Dan in retaining his Olympic title.</p>.<p>But Axelsen held his nerve with the prize in sight, then broke into disbelieving sobs when Chen hit the final shot long.</p>.<p>World number one Kento Momota exited the competition in the group stage.</p>.<p>Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting took bronze, beating gutsy Guatemalan world number 59 Kevin Cordon 21-11, 21-13.</p>.<p>Ginting's win gave Indonesia two medals on the final day of badminton, after Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu claimed gold in the women's doubles.</p>.<p>It was Indonesia's first Olympic title in women's doubles, and the country's first gold medal of the Tokyo Games.</p>
<p>Denmark's Viktor Axelsen won Olympic badminton gold on Monday in Tokyo, becoming the first non-Asian man to win the singles title since 1996.</p>.<p>World number two Axelsen beat China's defending champion Chen Long 21-15, 21-12, taking control early and never loosening his grip in a relentless performance.</p>.<p>Axelsen, who won bronze at the 2016 Rio Games, followed in the footsteps of compatriot Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, the Atlanta Games champion and the last winner from outside Asia.</p>.<p>Hoyer-Larsen, now world badminton's president, was in the arena to watch Axelsen match his achievement.</p>.<p>World number six Chen was bidding to emulate legendary Chinese player Lin Dan in retaining his Olympic title.</p>.<p>But Axelsen held his nerve with the prize in sight, then broke into disbelieving sobs when Chen hit the final shot long.</p>.<p>World number one Kento Momota exited the competition in the group stage.</p>.<p>Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting took bronze, beating gutsy Guatemalan world number 59 Kevin Cordon 21-11, 21-13.</p>.<p>Ginting's win gave Indonesia two medals on the final day of badminton, after Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu claimed gold in the women's doubles.</p>.<p>It was Indonesia's first Olympic title in women's doubles, and the country's first gold medal of the Tokyo Games.</p>
