17 August,2009 08:15 AM IST | | Sanjay Sharma
Ever since the Chinese joined the International Badminton Federation (now called BWF) in 1981, they have been unleashing weapons with great regularity.
Lin Dan, also called Super Dan, is just another example. He is very similar to great names like Zhao Jian Hua, Yang Yang, Sun Jun, who have dominated the shuttling world.
Yesterday, Lin Dan, who came in as defending champion in the men's singles, won his third consecutive World title when he defeated compatriot Jin Chen 21-18, 21-15.
He does not like being described as a genius, but the fact is that he has won three All England titles, an Olympic gold, eight Super Series championships, Thomas Cup goldu00a0 all in the last five years. "I am not a genius," said the champion. "I've worked really hard to get where I am. I have been lucky sometimes but ultimately, it is just hard work. I trust my coaches. They have helped me reach where I am"
Jin Chen, the 2008 All England champion, who was at the receiving end of Lin Dan's brilliance, said: "What could I do? Lin Dan had an answer for everything. He was too good at defence and dominated the net most of the time, not allowing me to settle down."
Yesterday's final had its share of sharp net dribbles and half-smashes which enthralled the crowd. A couple of retrieves off Jin Chen's smashes were a treat to watch. In these situations, Lin Dan looked more like a gymnast than a world champion shuttler.
He is still hungry and is well aware of opponents who will want to blunt his edge on the world scene. "I cannot rest on what I have achieved today. There are some good young Indonesian and Malaysian players out there apart from Chinese youngsters wanting to have a go at me. I have to be sharp all the time. But I am enjoying myself right now," he said.
