Lin Dan is a Chinese former professional badminton player. He is a two-time Olympic champion, a five-time World champion, as well as a six-time All-England champion. Widely regarded as the greatest badminton player of all time, by the age of 28 Lin had completed the “Super Grand Slam”, having won what some consider to be the nine major titles in the badminton world: Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, Super Series Masters Finals, All England Open, Asian Games, and Asian Championships, becoming the first and only player to achieve this feat.
He also became the first men’s singles player to retain the Olympic gold medal by winning in 2008 and successfully defending his title in 2012. Just how great he was going to become over the next 16 years, nobody could imagine.
In 2004, he was dubbed “Super Dan” by opponent Peter Gade after winning the All England Open final, and the nickname has since been widely used by his fans as well as the media to refer to him, in recognition of his achievements.
Early Life
When Lin Dan was young, his parents encouraged him to learn the piano and pursue a career as a pianist. However, he was more drawn to badminton and chose to focus on that instead. He began his badminton training at the age of five and, after winning the national junior championship at twelve, joined the People’s Liberation Army sports team. By 18, in 2001, he was selected for the Chinese National Badminton Team. Given his immense success, it’s clear that his passion for the sport developed early. Starting at five, he turned professional while still in his teens.
Junior Events
In 2000, Lin triumphed at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships, securing victories in both the team and singles events. That same year, he contributed to the success of the Chinese team and reached the semifinals in boys’ singles at the World Junior Championships.
Senior Debut & Performance
Lin’s professional career began in 2001 when he joined the Chinese national team. In his first professional final at the Asian Badminton Championships, he faced compatriot Xia Xuanze but was ultimately defeated.
In 2002, Lin claimed his first title at the Korea Open. He was also a member of China’s squad that reached the semi-finals of the Thomas Cup that year, though he did not play in the 1-3 loss to Malaysia in the semi-final. Lin began the 2003 season with a third-round exit at the All England Open but finished strongly with victories at the Denmark Open, Hong Kong Open, and China Open.
Lin had a good start to 2004, earning the BWF’s number-one world ranking for the first time in February. He helped China win the qualifying round of the Thomas Cup and then captured the Swiss Open. He won his first ever All England Open title by beating Peter Gade in the final.
Lin faced challenges later in the 2004 season, exiting in the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open and reportedly suffering a leg injury in mid-July, just before the Olympic Games. His Olympic debut was disappointing, as the top seed, he was unexpectedly knocked out early by Singapore’s Ronald Susilo, who remarked that Lin was “too eager to win.” Despite this setback, Lin rebounded with titles at the Denmark, German, and China Opens, and finished the season as a semi-finalist at the Indonesia Open.
After that year by year, Lin went on to win many trophies and championships and dominated the Badminton world consistently.
Olympics & World Championship
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Lin began his campaign by defeating Hong Kong’s Ng Wei in the opening round, followed by victories over Park Sung-hwan in the second round and Peter Gade in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he overcame his teammate Chen Jin in straight sets, setting up a highly anticipated “dream” final against Lee Chong Wei. However, the final proved one-sided, as Lin comfortably dispatched Lee 21–12, 21–8, becoming the first men’s singles player to win Olympic gold as the top seed.
At the 2012 London Olympics, Lin began by comfortably defeating Ireland’s Scott Evans to secure his place in the main draw of sixteen. He then cruised past a declining Taufik Hidayat. In the quarterfinals, however, Lin faced a tough challenge from Japan’s determined Sho Sasaki, eventually overcoming him in a hard-fought third game, 16–21. In the semifinals, Lin decisively beat South Korea’s Lee Hyun-il, setting the stage for another showdown with his main rival, Lee Chong Wei. Unlike their 2008 Olympic final, this match was fiercely contested. Lin lost the first game but battled back to claim the second. The decisive third game was a nail-biter, with Lin rallying from slight deficits throughout to finally edge out Lee 21–19. Overjoyed, Lin became the first men’s singles player to successfully defend his Olympic title.
In 2016 Lin was not able to replicate the same performance and eventually was not able to win any medal.
Lin Dan’s World Championship journey began in 2005 when he secured a silver medal. In September 2006, he claimed his first world title by defeating fellow countryman Bao Chunlai in the final.
In August 2007, Lin successfully defended his title, beating Indonesia’s Sony Dwi Kuncoro 21–11, 22–20 in the final. This victory made him the first player since Yang Yang to win consecutive World Championships. In 2009, Lin secured his third World Championship title by defeating his compatriot Chen Jin in the final.
After leading China to a Thomas Cup victory in 2010, Lin competed at the World Championships in Paris. He advanced through the early rounds but fell short of his fourth title after being defeated by Park Sung-hwan in the quarterfinals.
Lin’s fourth World Championship triumph came in August 2012, when he overcame Peter Gade in the semi-finals and won a thrilling three-game final against Lee Chong Wei. Similarly, he won world championships in 2013 as well.
Rivalry with Lee Chong-Wei
The rivalry between Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan, two of badminton’s greatest players, is widely regarded as the sport’s most iconic. Their careers ran almost parallel, creating an intense and memorable competition. Despite the close nature of their rivalry, Lin held a significant advantage, winning 28 of their 40 encounters, with Lee claiming 12 victories.
Honours & Achievements (major)
- World Junior Championships: 1 Gold Medal
- Asian Junior Championships: 2 Gold Medals
- Badminton World Cup: 2 Gold Medals
- East Asian Games: 1 Title
- BWF World Championships: 5 Gold Medals – In men’s singles events in the years of 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 & 2013 IBF World Championships
- Summer Olympics: 2 Gold Medals
- Asian Games: 4 Gold Medals
- Badminton Asia Championships: 4 Gold Medals
- Honoured with the Eddie Choong Player of the Year award for two consecutive years in 2006 and 2007
- Secured the BWF Best Male Player of the Year in 2008
- Named Most Valuable Player at the 2010 Asian Games
- In 2011, Lin was named the 2010 Best Male Athlete in CCTV Sports Personality of the Year
Personal Life
During the 2012 Summer Olympics, Lin had five tattoos on display. On his upper left arm, he had a Christian cross, while his lower left arm featured five stars. His right upper arm displayed the phrase “until the end of world,” and his lower right arm had a double “F” design. Additionally, his initials “LD” were tattooed on the back of his neck. These tattoos have sparked controversy because of their associations with his military and religious background.
He and his wife Xie Xingfang had their first child “Xiao Yu” on 5 November 2016.
Retirement
In 2020, following his losses in the semi-finals of the New Zealand Open and the final of the Korea Masters, Lin Dan announced his retirement on July 4. He expressed that at the age of 37, pain and injuries had made it impossible for him to continue competing alongside his teammates. He conveyed feelings of gratitude, a heavy heart, and reluctance about his decision.
