A two-time Olympic champion, 'Super Dan' -- a title given by his one-time opponent Peter Gade of Denmark -- is still
going strong and clinched his sixth All England title earlier this month.
Ever since bursting on the scene as a winner in the 2000 Badminton Asia Junior Championships in both the team and the singles events, Lin Dan has achieved everything that the sport has to offer and completed a Super Grand Slam.
"China has so many elite level players, just like what you have in India. So as I am old now, I have to really put extra effort to keep myself fit," Lin Dan said after dismantling Sourabh Verma in the opening round last night.
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Asked what is the secret of his fitness, he said: "I would like to keep it a secret (laughs).
"It is nothing special. There is no secret. It is all about doing the same things time and time again. It is all about doing the best everyday.
In a career spanning 16 years, Lin Dan has won all 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.
At 32 now, he is still motivated to clinch his third Olympic gold at Rio Games and considers Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei as his fiercest opponent.
"I have played against many players but I will always consider Lee Chong Wei as my toughest
five-time world champion.
His popularity transcends borders as is evident from the chants of 'Lin Dan' that resonates across the stadium wherever he competes.
However, he says badminton needs more promotion to take it to a wider audience like tennis and football.
"It is hard to compete with
other sports. Badminton is a
sport which when compared with football and Tennis, still needs promotion.