From 'Super Dan' To 'First-Round Lin' As Badminton Legend Falters
Muhammad Rameez Published November 19, 2018 | 02:32 PM
Lin Dan is regarded as the best badminton player of all time but his brilliance has faded markedly and Chinese fans and media are readying his career obituary.
Shanghai, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Nov, 2018 ) :Lin Dan is regarded as the best badminton player of all time but his brilliance has faded markedly and Chinese fans and media are readying his career obituary.
Widely known as "Super Dan" during his pomp, the 35-year-old Chinese last week suffered his ninth first-round defeat in 19 tournaments this year, underlining his steep decline.
The former world number one, who has won every major prize in badminton -- some of them multiple times -- appears determined to go for a third Olympic title at Tokyo 2020.
But badminton's answer to Roger Federer will be nearly 37 by then, and unlike the Swiss tennis great all the signs are that he is already well past his prime.
Time waits for no sportsman, even one of the best ever produced by China.
Lin is currently ranked 13th, below compatriots Shi Yuqi and Chen Long, and each country can send a maximum of two men's singles players to the Olympics.
"It all depends because there are very many strong players in China," Lin said of his chances of making it a grand career finale in Tokyo.
"They're very strong so I have to be on top of them," Lin, a fiery and controversial character down the years, said following his latest opening-round loss, to world champion Kento Momota at the Hong Kong Open last week.
Lin's long list of achievements include five world titles between 2006 and 2013, back-to-back Olympic golds in 2008 and 2012 and six All England crowns.
In 2011, he became the first player to complete the 'Super Grand Slam' of badminton's nine major titles.
Lin's victories are often accompanied by exuberant celebrations when he rips off his shirt and gives a military salute to the crowd.
But he has won just one tournament this year, the New Zealand Open in May.
Some Chinese media have taken to calling him "First-Round Lin" because of his habit of falling at the first hurdle.
He was bestowed the same unflattering label at the start of his career, before he fulfilled his potential.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
6 hours ago -
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
6 hours ago -
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
6 hours ago -
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results
7 hours ago -
Inaugurate of fitness gym at Ayum Stadium on 25th April
7 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
7 hours ago
-
Women’s One-Day tournament: Multan beat Rawalpindi, Quetta beat Peshawar, Lahore beat Karachi
7 hours ago -
Argentinian Etcheverry sees off Norrie to head into Barcelona Open semis
9 hours ago -
Pakistan all set to face New Zealand tomorrow
11 hours ago -
Duplantis to unleash 'inner' pole vault contest as Olympics beckon
11 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
11 hours ago -
'All-or-nothing' Norris takes sprint pole in rain chaos at Chinese GP
12 hours ago