Now many people believe badminton is a
sport for young athletes due to its speed and the fast reactions
required to excel in it. Shuttlers typically start to fade after they
hit 30, but in today's game, there is an exception, Lin Dan. The Chinese
has two Olympic gold medals to go along with multiple Grand Slam titles
and instead of retiring when he reached his third decade, Super Dan
kept going and is now chasing further glory in Rio.
Off the court Lin Dan is a fashion ICON.
On it, he isn't too bad either, wining a world championship aged 30 and
after being crowned the Asian game champ 2 years ago, he's ready for
his 4th Olympics at 33.
"On my wechat moments people kept
posting 'wow he is still playing?' 'for real'?" said Lin Dan, "I feel
proud about these comments because in people's eyes I have done enough
to earn my retirement. But I want make more history, more records and
try to push further at my age.I think I'm likely to win it again."
Fans like to call him "Super-Dan", but
for him the meaning of the word "super" has involved from the "super"
talent and "super" gifted to now "super" hard on training and put in a
"super" amount of effort.
"I train every day now, different excise
each day. I hit it hard at noon and get more rest in the morning. I
like tanning by body now and after sessions all I do is relax at the
pool because that is the most important part. I like to tan and keep my
skin darker. I have been used to this tone since 2011 and I cant bare to
watch match footage when I still had white skin," said Lin.
The knee injury would be the hardest one
to deal with in Lin's career and many doubted he could recover back to
where he use to be. In March 2016 in Birmingham, England, Lin regained
his all England title, giving him his 6th win at the event.
Another win followed at the German Open
before he being crowned China Masters champ for a 6th time in Jiangsu.
Lin's response to all those who doubted him was to get to the Rio
Olympics ranked world number 3.
"I am way more mature than before, I can
accept losing now. I've been through 3 Olympics so far. From being
someone nobody had ever heard about, to people thinking of me as a
rebel, to the heavy scrutiny on me during my early days in 2004. I
sucked it all up and went on to win both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. I
did nothing different from than before so I'm always giving my best
efforts.
Lin will not be alone in Rio this time
as his old friend rival Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia will be in Rio for his
4th Olympic also for his last time at the global show-piece. Like
always Li is hoping he can win the gold he kept losing to Lin in the
past. And deep down he knows its the competition between the pair that
has kept him on his feet.
"to be honest with you the only thing
that has been keeping me driven is -- Lee Chong Wei. I have way more
than he does, but he is still the most dangerous and strongest opponent
out there. He is close to my age and he is still pushing himself to the
limit. He wants this gold more than anyone else and that ambition shows
on the court. I respect him and for me to go further in Rio, I need to
learn from him," Lin said.
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