Lin Dan, The legend retires: 5 memorable moments

Lin Dan announced his retirement as he quit the Chinese National team on 4^th July 2020, marking the end of a stellar career and the end of an era. His career spanned two decades right from the year 2000 to 2020. Just over a year ago his great friend and rival, Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia had hung up his racquet. In a sport with demanding physical fitness, it is astonishing and marvelous, how the former Numero Uno played flawless badminton until the age of 36 at such an elite level.

The name Lin Dan needs no introduction in the world of badminton. He is unquestionably one of the greatest players of all time. Fondly known as Super Dan, his achievements speak volume and his legacy will forever be lived. It would be quite an inexhaustible list if one sat down counting the feats the Chinese has achieved.

As a child he was encouraged to play piano by his parents. But the young lad chose to pick up a racquet instead. At the age of 12 he won the national junior championships. He was 18, when he was selected to be a part of the national team in 2001. Huaqiao University presented him a master’s degree in 2012. After he defended his Olympic gold in 2012, his autobiography was released, titled, “Until the end of his world”

To the badminton world, he has given many memorable matches and has mesmerised players and fans with his on court prowess and charisma. In the early stages of his career and his peak, he was a player with an all round game, and strong attack. One could definitely say that he is one of the most versatile players badminton has seen. He had the ability to change his game as per the opponent and playing conditions and his physical fitness. His experience came to his advantage in the later stages of his career when he couldn’t attack as well as he did in his younger days. Super Dan worked up an impenetrable defense and stuck to longer rallies making the best use of his fitness and retrieving skills attacking only when there were clear openings.

Also Read: Sports fraternity reacts as two times Olympic gold medalist Lin Dan retired today

As an ode to the legendary athlete Lin Dan, here are some memorable moments of his glorious career:

The second Olympic Gold at London, 2012

In the year 2008, Chinese fans in Beijing were in full cheer as they saw their home favourite and Lin Dan defeat arch nemesis Lee Chong Wei to clinch the gold medal.

The defending champion walked into London confidently in 2012 with an aim of another Olympic Gold. But it wasn’t going to be easy for him with the likes of Lee Chong Wei being strong contenders for the invaluable Gold medal. The finals at London, was a repeat of the 2008, Beijing Games. Lin Dan fought his way through the match to tame his arch nemesis in a nail biting encounter. He won the match with a score line of 15-21, 21-10 and 21-19 in 79 minutes. With Lin Dan winning his second Olympic Gold, Lee won his second Olympic Silver.

He also made another appearance at Rio 2016. However he bowed down to Lee Chong Wei in the semi finals in a thrilling three set match 15-21, 21-11 and 22-20. It was a heartbreaking loss and a missed opportunity at a hat trick of Olympic golds.

Five World championship titles

An incredible feat achieved by Lin Dan is winning five World Championship titles. He won the titles in 2006, 2007, 2009 in a row, and in 2011, and 2013 back to back. In 2005 and 2017, he finished runner up. Super Dan is the only player to have won 5 world championship titles in the same category. Such supreme consistency is rare to find.

The Sixer- A total of six All England titles

Super Dan has to his credit a whopping six All England Championship titles. The highest ever titles won by a player is 8 by the Indonesian legend Rudy Hartono in the 1960s and ’70s.

In 2004, 20 year old Dan made his first appearance in the final of the prestigious tournament against an in form Peter Gade. Dan prevailed over his opponent in three games winning the title in his maiden final. He won the titles in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2016. Out of them, he faced his friend and arch on court rival Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia in 2009 and 2012. In 2011 he finished as runner up losing to the Malaysian in the finals. Dan has made a total of 10 appearances in the finals of the All England open with runners up in 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2018.

Also Read: Badminton: Singles players who have won both Olympics and World Championships

Conquering 9 Major titles in the world of Badminton

A big game player like he was raised his bars further higher when he conquered nine major titles in the circuit, by the age of 28. He has won Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, Super Series Finals, All England Open, Asian Games, and Asian Championships, becoming the first and only player to achieve this feat.

He has won various titles from the Superseries world tour and winning the Malaysia Open in 2017 marked his record of having won every major title in the world.

The iconic Lin Dan- Lee Chong Wei Rivalry

The career story of Lin Dan is incomplete without his on court rivalry with Lee Chong Wei. It is hands down one of the most enthralling encounters ever. They have a career head to head 40 matches. The Chinese was dominant with 28 wins, 70% of total face offs between them.

The duo never failed to mesmerise the fans with their spectacular rallies, pushing each  other to all four corners of the court, raining down smashes, dives all around the court, deception and every skilful play possible in badminton. They made badminton look like it’s an easy sport to play where you just needed to take a step or two from the centre to play. Such was their flawless court movement. Furthermore they had an extraordinary off court chemistry. They had the utmost respect for each other and displayed true sportsman spirit in every encounter of irrespective of the results. The matches always ended with warm hugs and greetings. Their off court friendship and on court rivalry is truly exemplary. It is etched in the memories of fans forever.

Lee Chong Wei penned down an emotional tweet to his friend on this occasion:

“We knew this day would arrive,

Heavy moment of our lives;

You pulled down the curtain gracefully,

You were king where we fought so proudly;

Your final wave all four disappear,

Within the hush of silent tear.” 

Also Read: Lee Chong Wei’s reaction on fellow badminton legend Lin Dan’s retirement

The Retirement

At the breaking news of his retirement, wishes started pouring in for the former world number one from the entire badminton fraternity. The legend had a win percentage of 83.5% and has played 798 matches in his international career.

“I have been with the national team from 2000 to 2020, and it is very difficult to say goodbye,” Lin wrote on his Weibo account.

“In 2000, I became the Chinese team’s Lin Dan, and I was happy and proud. My family, coaches, team members and fans accompanied me in many hardships, ups and downs. Every jump smash was a hope for victory; I journeyed across four Olympics. Was not thinking of leaving and not willing to think of it. Gave my everything to this sport that I love. ‘Persevere’, I tell myself during every hard time, to let my career prolong. Compared to my younger days when I chased rankings, these (last few) years I challenged myself to the limits of a senior athlete, and living the spirit of never giving up.”

“At 37, pain and injuries no longer allow me to fight with my teammates. I have gratitude, a heavy heart and unwillingness. In days to come, I hope to spend more time with my family, and I will also look for a new ‘court’. I’m thankful to my country, my coach, my family, and fans. Thank you to elite opponents who motivated me. I wish to tell all of you who are chasing your own dreams, always keep your hunger and give everything. Hope the Chinese anthem will keep playing on the court. I hope to see familiar and new faces on the podium. No one will be young forever, but surely there are people who are young, passionate and striving…”

Lin Dan is married to former player Xie Xingfang and has a child named Xiao Yu which means ‘Little Feather’

Here’s wishing the GOAT, A very happy retirement and best of luck to all future endeavours. He will be dearly missed on court.