KUNSHAN: Denmark's Viktor Axelsen believes he will go far at the Rio Olympics and is confident his fellow countrymen will also prove themselves after their historic Thomas Cup victory.
The Danes have momentum on their side following their maiden title at the world team championships, where Olympic powerhouse China crashed out in the quarter-finals.
In a sign of badminton's shifting fortunes, Denmark became the first European team to win the men's trophy while hosts China, who hold all five Olympic titles, suffered an early exit.
"I think in Denmark we have many strong players who can really be up there at the Olympics," Axelsen told a press conference -- much of which he conducted in fluent Mandarin, to the delight of the Chinese press corps.
"I have to believe I will go far in the Olympics because if you don't believe in yourself then it won't happen."
He added: "I'm confident and I'm just looking forward to having a good preparation and I'm sure Denmark will prove themselves."
Axelsen, the world number four and reigning European champion, led the team to victory at the Thomas Cup, scoring a straight-sets win over Indonesia's Tommy Sugiarto during the team's nail-biting 3-2 final win.
"I managed to stay calm and that's why I won," said Axelsen.
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