KUALA LUMPUR: Shortly after claiming his second consecutive Olympic badminton gold in Paris, Viktor Axelsen was quick to downplay any comparisons to his "idol" Lin Dan, widely regarded as the "greatest of all time."
Despite emulating the Chinese legend by becoming only the second man to win two Olympic titles in men's singles, Axelsen insisted he doesn't yet consider himself on par with Lin Dan. Axelsen outclassed Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-11, 21-11 in the final at La Chapelle Arena on Monday.
Lin Dan won his two Olympic gold medals in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, both times defeating his Malaysian arch-rival Lee Chong Wei.
Axelsen's modest response to the media might have some basis, considering Lin Dan's other significant achievements, including five World Championship titles and victories in the Thomas Cup and Sudirman Cup with China's formidable national team.
In terms of major individual honours, Axelsen still has the potential to match or even surpass Lin Dan.
With two World Championship titles in 2017 and 2022, Axelsen is just three away from matching Lin Dan's record.
Axelsen could overshadow Lin Dan if he wins a third Olympic crown in Los Angeles in 2028.
Lin Dan's ambitious attempt for a third gold was thwarted by Chong Wei in a semi-final match for the ages at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Axelsen's potential to feature in his fourth Olympics and possibly claim a fourth podium finish - to add to his bronze from Rio 2016 - remains within striking distance.
Numerous records will be within Axelsen's reach in Los Angeles, provided he maintains his motivation.
Beyond potentially becoming the first player to win three Olympic gold in badminton, Axelsen, who will be 34 by the time of the LA Games, could also become the oldest Olympic gold medallist in the sport.
The current record is held by Indonesia's Greysia Polii, who won the women's doubles gold in Tokyo at the age of 33.
Do such dizzying prospects serve as motivation for Axelsen to continue playing? Players like Lin Dan and Chong Wei have proved that it's possible to compete at the highest level well into their 30s.
In a post-match interview with Hong Kong broadcaster TVB, Axelsen expressed his disbelief at being put in the same pedestal as Lin Dan, and hinted at the possibility of competing in another Olympics, circumstances permitting.
"I never thought I would win my second gold. Lin Dan has always been my idol. When he won his second Olympic gold, I was watching on TV and told myself that if I could win even one Olympic gold someday, I'd be thrilled," said Axelsen.
"But I never imagined winning two Olympic gold medals. I'm incredibly happy. I want to savour this moment.
"If, in three years I still have the drive and achieve good results in major competitions, I might compete in the Olympics in the United States."
Axelsen also spoke to the Danish press about his respect for Lin Dan, describing the feat of becoming a double Olympic gold medallist in men's singles as nearly "impossible."
"I have immense respect for Lin Dan. I remember watching him win his second Olympic gold and thinking, 'That's impossible.' I know how tough and competitive men's singles is," said Axelsen, as quoted by TV2 Danmark.
"I understand how physically and mentally demanding it is, and how many players are eager to win. Everything has to align perfectly.
"But when I started taking the lead in the second game, I thought, 'This is possible.' Knowing that he (Lin Dan) had done it before, gave me confidence.
"I told the Chinese journalists that, for me, Lin Dan remains the greatest player in history.
"It's absolutely surreal," he added.
Axelsen's gold medal was Denmark's first at the Paris Games, coming on the 10th day of the Olympics.