From a six-year-old trainee to the world's second-ranked badminton star
In short: In the high-stakes arena of professional badminton, few players possess the resilience of Anders Antonsen. Rising from the clubs of Aarhus to the pinnacle of the BWF World Rankings, his journey is defined by dramatic victories over legends and navigating the sudden shifts of professional sport.
Born in 1997, Anders Antonsen’s ascent began in Kastanievej, Viby, where he started playing at age six. Trained by his father at the Aarhus AB club alongside his brother Kasper, Antonsen’s early career was marked by rapid success. By 2015, he had secured the European Junior Championship and was named the European Young Player of the Year.
His professional trajectory is characterized by significant upsets against the sport's elite. In 2019, he claimed the Indonesia Masters title by defeating the then-world number one, Kento Momota. He also achieved gold at the 2019 Minsk European Games. His ability to compete at the highest level is evidenced by his four World Championship medals, including silver in 2019 and bronze in 2021, 2023, and 2025.
The professional circuit has also presented profound challenges. In 2021, his European Championship victory was uniquely decided after his opponent, Viktor Axelsen, tested positive for COVID-19. More recently, in August 2024, Antonsen faced a coaching crisis when his agreement with Joachim Persson was terminated following allegations of match-betting. He subsequently turned to his brother, Kasper, to lead his coaching staff.
Despite the volatility of the tour—including injuries that forced him to withdraw from several Asian tournaments in 2022—Antonsen has maintained a presence at the top of the BWF World Rankings, reaching the number two spot and consistently securing titles across the Super 500, 750, and 1000 levels.
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