
Lin Dan is a Chinese former professional badminton player. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, five-time World Championship gold medallist, and has won almost every major title in badminton. Dubbed Super Dan by his opponent Peter Gade, Lin is widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time. Lin started his training at the age of five and was enlisted into the Chinese National Badminton Team in 2001 when he was 18. He is known for his hard work and dedication to the sport, often admired by fans and fellow players. Today, Lin occasionally coaches at his training centre in Xiamen, China, and makes appearances at badminton competitions around the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Training started | 5 years old |
| Professional career started | 2001 |
| Training style | Relentless, with an unparalleled self-belief and mental strength |
| Training focus | Adaptability, working on his game and physicality |
| Training locations | Hotel gyms, Xiamen training centre |
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What You'll Learn
- Lin Dan started training at age five and was scouted by the People's Liberation Army Sports Team at 12
- He was inducted into the Chinese National Badminton Team in 2001
- Dan is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, a five-time World Championship gold medallist, and a four-time Asian Champion
- He has a training centre in Xiamen, China, where his wife sometimes coaches
- Dan is widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time

Lin Dan started training at age five and was scouted by the People's Liberation Army Sports Team at 12
Lin Dan, widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time, started his badminton training at the young age of five. Born in Fujian, China, Lin was encouraged by his parents to learn to play the piano, but he chose badminton instead.
At the age of twelve, Lin won the National Junior Championships, and this victory caught the attention of the People's Liberation Army Sports Team, who scouted him. This marked the beginning of Lin's journey towards becoming a badminton superstar.
Lin's relentless approach to the sport and his physicality set him apart from his competitors. He brought a new level of fitness and intensity to badminton, and his ability to adapt and improve his weak points was exceptional. Lin's contemporaries recall that his style evolved significantly over the years, with new strokes and footwork that improved his overall game.
Lin's mental strength and self-belief were also key factors in his success. He played with an aura of inevitable triumph, intimidating his opponents and instilling fear. Lin's unwavering confidence allowed him to remain calm and focused during crucial moments, enabling him to play error-free, attacking badminton when it mattered most.
Lin's impressive career spanned two decades, during which he achieved numerous milestones. He became a two-time Olympic gold medallist, a five-time World Championship gold medallist, a two-time World Cup champion, and much more. Lin completed the "'Super Grand Slam'" at the age of 28, becoming the only male player to win all nine major titles in badminton.
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He was inducted into the Chinese National Badminton Team in 2001
Lin Dan is a Chinese badminton player, widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, a five-time World Championship gold medallist, a two-time World Cup champion, a two-time Asian Games gold medallist, a four-time Asian Champion, and a six-time All England champion.
Lin Dan's career spanned almost two decades and saw him compete against five different generations of Indian badminton players. He was known for his relentless approach and physicality, which set him apart from his contemporaries. His self-belief and ability to play error-free, attacking badminton in crucial moments were also key factors in his success.
Lin Dan's training began at a very early age. He started playing badminton at the age of five and joined the People's Liberation Army Sports Team after winning the National Junior Championships at the age of twelve. By the time he was inducted into the Chinese National Badminton Team in 2001, he had already established himself as a promising young player with a bright future ahead of him.
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Dan is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, a five-time World Championship gold medallist, and a four-time Asian Champion
Lin Dan is a Chinese former professional badminton player. He started his badminton training at the age of five and was scouted by the People's Liberation Army Sports Team after winning the National Junior Championships aged twelve. He was enlisted into the Chinese National Badminton Team in 2001, when he was 18.
Dan is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, winning his first gold medal in 2008 in his home nation of Beijing, and retaining his title in 2012. In the 2008 final, he faced his big rival Lee Chong Wei, from Malaysia, and won 21-12, 21-8. In 2012, he faced Lee again but lost the first game of the gold medal match. However, he showed extraordinary courage and power to come back and retain his Olympic title, becoming the first male athlete to manage this feat.
Dan is also a five-time World Championship gold medallist. In 2007, he beat Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro 21–11, 22–20 in the final of the tournament held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to become the first man since Yang Yang to win back-to-back World Championships.
In addition to his Olympic and World Championship successes, Dan is a four-time Asian Champion. He won his first Asian Championship title in 2011, defending his title the following year in South Korea. In 2014, he won the men's singles title at the Asian Championships in China, defeating Tian Houwei 21–19, 21–8 in a match that lasted 50 minutes.
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He has a training centre in Xiamen, China, where his wife sometimes coaches
Lin Dan is a retired Chinese badminton player, widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, five-time World Championship gold medallist, and six-time All England champion.
Lin Dan has a training centre in Xiamen, China, a city known for producing top badminton players. Xiamen is easily accessible, with many high-speed train lines connecting it to the rest of China. It is also a popular tourist destination, with mountains and beaches within easy reach.
The training centre is located in a fancy new school, where Lin Dan's wife, Xie Xingfang, a former world champion, sometimes coaches. Lin Dan himself stated that he would coach the "extra special" students.
Lin Dan grew up just outside Xiamen and often returns to promote badminton in the city. He also hosts the Lin Dan Cup throughout China and makes appearances at badminton competitions.
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Dan is widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time
Lin Dan is widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time. Nicknamed "Super Dan" by opponent Peter Gade after winning the 2004 All England Open final, Lin is a Chinese badminton player who began his training at the age of five and was scouted by the People's Liberation Army Sports Team after winning the National Junior Championships aged twelve. He was enlisted into the Chinese National Badminton Team in 2001 and has since gone on to achieve numerous milestones in his career.
Lin is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, five-time World Championship gold medallist, two-time World Cup champion, two-time Asian Games gold medallist, four-time Asian Champion, as well as a six-time All England champion. He led China to victory five times at the Sudirman Cup, six times at the Thomas Cup, and three times at the Asian Games men's team event. By the age of 28, Lin had completed the "Super Grand Slam", having won all nine major titles in the badminton world of his time, becoming the only male player to ever achieve this feat.
Lin's career is easily the most storied of the sport, with 666 career wins spanning two decades. He has competed against five different generations of Indian badminton players, showcasing his longevity in the sport. Lin's relentless approach and physicality set him apart from his contemporaries, leaving a lasting impression on the sport. His ability to adapt and improve his weaknesses is also noteworthy, demonstrating his dedication to perfecting his game and physicality.
The rivalry between Lin and Lee Chong Wei is considered the greatest in the history of badminton, with Lin having the edge in head-to-head wins despite Lee being ranked World Number One for almost ten years. Lin's self-belief and mental toughness were key factors in his success, intimidating opponents and cementing his claim to greatness in badminton.
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Frequently asked questions
Lin Dan started training for badminton at the age of five.
Lin Dan is known for his exceptional fitness, which has been crucial to his success in badminton. While there are no specific details available about his training regime, it is rumoured that he incorporates CrossFit into his routine. CrossFit is a strength training programme that includes exercises such as squats, lunges, pull-ups, and cleans, which can help improve smashing strength and explosiveness.
Lin Dan's dedication to fitness and training has undoubtedly contributed to his success in badminton. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, five-time World Championship gold medallist, two-time World Cup champion, and much more. By the age of 28, he had completed the "Super Grand Slam," winning all nine major badminton tournaments.
Lin Dan uses YONEX rackets.










































