KUALA LUMPUR – Two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen made a brief appearance at the Axiata Arena today, but it turned out to be a rather unusual meet-and-greet – even the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had no idea it was happening.
The Danish superstar spent around 10 to 15 minutes outside the stadium, signing autographs and taking photos with approximately 50 selected fans before quietly departing.
It was the second round of the Super 500 Malaysia Masters, but Axelsen is not competing as he is currently recovering from spinal disc surgery, which he underwent last month.
Still, it’s uncommon for a top player to show up at a major tournament venue without notifying the hosts – especially one of Axelsen’s stature.
“To be honest, we didn’t know anything about it,” said BAM deputy president Datuk V. Subramaniam and secretary general Datuk Kenny Goh when approached by Scoop.
“To be fair, it was a private event held outside the stadium, at the food truck booths. That area is not under BAM’s jurisdiction – it falls under the Malaysia Stadium Board (PSM).
“Axelsen is free to meet fans or promote his brand or sponsors as he wishes. Had the event been held inside the stadium, it would have been strange for us not to be informed. But since it was outside, it seems to have been a private function.”
Booths inside the stadium are reserved for BAM or Badminton World Federation (BWF) sponsors, including Petronas, Perodua, Yonex, 100PLUS, and Etihad Airways, among others.
The event outside was closed to the media, and Axelsen did not give any interviews. However, the Dane had posted on his social media channels that he would be in Malaysia to promote his VA brand. – May 22, 2025