Olympic Preview: Lin pins on Olympic gold
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-07-29 14:57

Lin Dan, All England champion who rocketed to the world top ranking from No. 15 in five months, has set his target on the gold medal in the Athens Olympic Games.

The 21-year-old Lin, who stands 1.76 meters, was born in southeast China's Fujian Province. Starting badminton training at the age of five, the left-hander was enlisted by the Army Club at 12, and then picked as a member of the national team at 18. Relying on his extraordinary footwork and quick mind, he mainly plays defense on the court, punctuated with sharp sudden strikes.

Since last September, Lin has swept five titles in IBF badminton open series, namely Denmark Open, Hong Kong Open, China Open, Swiss Open and All England Open. He even earned the title of"Super Dan" after Swiss Open 2004.

In 2004 Thomas Cup, playing as the first men's singles, he crushed all the opponents he met, without even losing a set. He has occupied the world No. 1 spot for about half a year, leaving his compatriot Chen Hong, No. 2 far behind.

How could the Chinese youngster emerge from nowhere into the leading role in two years?

"As a bold player, he exhibits a killing instinct on the court,having the potential to become a world-class masterhand," said his coach Zhong Bo.

Lin Dan, however, attributed his success to hard training, asserting that the basic skills resulting from hard work beget intelligence and technique he now possesses.

Li Yongbo, head coach of the Chinese national team, praised thetwo unique abilities Lin Dan boasts, one is his extraordinary understanding and use of tactics on the court, the other is his quick-start ability, which could find no match in his contemporaries.

In contrast to his predecessors, Lin Dan likes to show off on the court. He is regarded as a cool person with his standing hair and rectangled collar.

When victory is imminent, he will clap his racket, asking for the applause from the spectators, while stripping off his T-shirt after victory is his reserved performance.

Though reigning in IBF Open series, Super Dan has never captured a world or Olympic title. Athens Olympics will be the best venue for him to exert all his talent and win the most coveted honor.