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Lin Dan, the Chinese badminton player, is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, five-time World championship gold medallist, and a twenty-time world champion. He is widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time and was inducted into the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame in 2023. Lin Dan announced his retirement from badminton in 2020, citing pain and injuries as the reason for his departure from the sport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retirement | 4 July 2020 |
| Age at retirement | 36 |
| Reason for retirement | "Pain and injuries no longer allow me to fight with my teammates" |
| Nickname | "Super Dan" |
| Achievements | Two-time Olympic gold medallist, five-time World championship gold medalist, two-time World Cup champion, five-time Sudirman Cup gold medallist, six-time Thomas Cup gold medallist, two-time Asian games gold medallist, four-time Asian Champion, six-time All England champion |
| Total number of wins | 666 |
| Total number of titles | 66 |
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What You'll Learn
Lin Dan's retirement
Lin Dan, widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time, announced his retirement from the sport on 4 July 2020. The Chinese badminton superstar, who turned professional in 2001, took to Chinese social media outlet Weibo and Instagram to explain that his body would no longer allow him to reach his previous heights.
In his prime, Lin dominated the badminton world, becoming the first men's singles player to retain the Olympic gold medal with wins in 2008 and 2012. He also won five individual world titles, two World Cup gold medals, five Sudirman Cup gold medals, six Thomas Cup gold medals, two Asian Games gold medals, and four Asian Championships. In total, he won 666 singles matches and at least two gold medals in each of the nine major badminton events.
Lin's illustrious career began when he was just five years old, starting his badminton training. By the age of twelve, he had won the National Junior Championships and was scouted by the People's Liberation Army Sports Team. He was enlisted into the Chinese National Badminton Team in 2001 when he was 18.
Lin's retirement announcement led to an outpouring of tributes on social media, with his greatest rival, Lee Chong Wei, being one of the first to pay his respects. Wei, a Malaysian badminton great who retired in June 2019 due to health reasons, hailed Lin as "king" in an emotional tribute. Lin's wife, Xie Xingfang, also a former badminton world champion, wrote online: "The 20 years we have walked with each other... will continue. Let us work hard together."
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Lin Dan's Olympic golds
Lin Dan is a Chinese former professional badminton player. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, winning his first gold medal in 2008 in Beijing and retaining his title in 2012 in London. Lin became the first men's singles player to retain the Olympic gold medal.
In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Lin beat Hong Kong's Ng Wei in the first round, Park Sung-hwan in the second round, and Peter Gade in the quarter-finals. He then beat his teammate Chen Jin in straight sets to set up a final against Lee Chong Wei. Lin beat Lee 21-12, 21-8, becoming the first men's singles player to win the Olympic gold as a first seed.
In 2012, Lin retained his Olympic gold medal in London, solidifying his status as one of the greatest badminton players of all time.
Lin Dan also competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he faced long-time rival Lee Chong Wei in the semi-finals. Lee finally prevailed, reversing his past Olympic and World Championship losses to Lin. Lin went on to play Denmark's Viktor Axelsen in the bronze medal match but lost the match after taking the first set.
With two Olympic gold medals and five world titles, Lin Dan is the most successful badminton player from China and is widely considered the greatest badminton player of all time.
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Lin Dan's badminton career
Lin Dan is a Chinese former professional badminton player. Born on 14 October 1983 in Fujian, China, he started training in badminton at the age of five and was scouted by the People's Liberation Army Sports Team after winning the National Junior Championships at the age of twelve. He was enlisted into the Chinese National Badminton Team in 2001, marking the start of his professional career.
Nicknamed "Super Dan" by opponent Peter Gade, Lin Dan is widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, having won in 2008 and 2012, and a five-time World Championship gold medallist, achieving this feat in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013. He also won the World Cup twice, the Sudirman Cup five times, the Thomas Cup six times, the Asian Games twice, the Asian Championships four times, and the All England Championship six times. By the age of 28, he had completed the "'Super Grand Slam'", becoming the first male player to win all nine major titles in badminton.
Lin Dan dominated the sport for many years, with his career highlighted by numerous victories in major tournaments. In 2009, he won his fourth China Masters title and first French Open title. He also won the China Open title and the Badminton Asia Championships in New Delhi. In 2007, he was part of the Chinese Sudirman Cup team that retained the cup by beating Indonesia in the final. The same year, he won his third Denmark Open title and fourth Hong Kong Open title.
Lin Dan's career included several notable rivalries, including with Lee Chong Wei, with whom he had a head-to-head record of 28-12 in 40 meetings. Despite being ranked World Number 1 throughout their careers, Lee Chong Wei often came second to Lin Dan in their matches. Another rivalry was with Malaysia's Wong Choong Hann, whom Lin defeated to become the China Masters champion in 2007.
In 2020, Lin Dan announced his retirement from badminton at the age of 36, citing pain and injuries as the reasons for his decision. He was inducted into the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame in 2023, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest badminton players of all time.
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Lin Dan's rivalry with Lee Chong Wei
Lin Dan, the Chinese badminton legend, announced his retirement in 2020 at the age of 36. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, five-time World championship gold medallist, and a twenty-time world champion. Lin Dan is widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time.
Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei were contemporaries and their rivalry is considered the greatest in the history of badminton. They played each other 40 times, with Lin winning 28 of those matches. Lin Dan was known for his patience, tactical awareness, and heavy attacks, while Lee Chong Wei was known for his incredible speed, counter-attacking prowess, and deceptive net play. Lin and Lee met in the finals 22 times, semi-finals 15 times, including twice each in the finals of the Olympic Games and World Championships, which Lin won. Lin also had the upper hand in their 11 meetings in Super Series finals, winning 9 of them.
Lee Chong Wei held the record for several tournaments, including 12 titles in the Malaysia Open, being the first non-Indonesian to win 6 Indonesia Open titles, and 6 Japan Open titles. He was ranked World No. 1 for almost 10 years. However, Lin Dan achieved the "'Super Grand Slam" at the age of 28 by winning all 9 major titles in badminton, including Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, Super Series Finals, All England Open, Asian Games, and Asian Championships.
The rivalry between Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei was intense, with Lin's victory over Lee in the 2008 Olympics being a memorable moment. Their last meeting was at the 2018 All England Open, which Lin won, before Lee announced his retirement due to nose cancer. Over time, the rivalry between the two badminton greats evolved from hostility to admiration, with fans cheering for both players.
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Lin Dan's personal life
Lin Dan, born on 14 October 1983 in Fujian, China, is a former professional badminton player. Nicknamed 'Super Dan' by opponent Peter Gade, Dan is regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time. He started his badminton training at the age of five and was enlisted into the Chinese National Badminton Team in 2001, when he was 18.
Dan is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, five-time World championship gold medallist, two-time World Cup champion, five-time Sudirman Cup gold medallist, six-time Thomas Cup gold medallist, two-time Asian games gold medallist, four-time Asian Champion, and a six-time All England champion. He has also won the Eddie Choong Player of the Year award for two consecutive years (2006 and 2007) and secured the BWF Best Male Player of the Year in 2008.
Lin Dan was in a relationship with Xie Xingfang, a former world champion, since 2003. They got engaged in 2010 and married in 2012.
Dan announced his retirement from badminton in 2020, citing pain and injuries as the reasons. He was inducted into the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame in 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Lin Dan announced his retirement from badminton in 2020.
Lin Dan retired at 36 due to pain and injuries. He wrote on Weibo that his body would no longer allow him to reach his previous heights.
Lin Dan is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, five-time World Championship gold medallist, two-time World Cup champion, five-time Sudirman Cup gold medallist, and six-time Thomas Cup gold medallist. He is widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time.
Lin Dan was known for his "'bad boy' reputation", his tattoos, and his rivalry with Lee Chong Wei. He was also nicknamed "Super Dan" by opponent Peter Gade.
