Lee Chong Wei's tearful retirement was not just a sad conclusion to one of badminton's great careers, it also ended his remarkable rivalry with China's Lin Dan.
The duo reigned over the sport for more than a decade and have only relinquished that hold in recent years as their powers waned.
Both are well past their prime, but the Malaysian was forced to call it quits after being diagnosed last year with early stage nose cancer.
An emotional Lee, who will be 37 in October, told a press conference on Thursday: "My plan to retire was originally after the (2020) Olympic Games. I made this decision due to my health."
Lin was quick to react to Lee's announcement, posting on China's Twitter-like Weibo: "I will be alone on the (badminton) court and no one will accompany me." Lee wrote in reply: "I hope that you can realise your dreams and reach the Olympics for a fifth time."
- Lee 'spurred me on' -
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