He is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest shuttler to ever walk on this planet.
And now that China’s Lin Dan has become the first to retain the Olympic men’s singles title after defeating Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei 15-21, 21-10, 21-19 – all the 28-year-old wants is a break.
For now, Lin Dan has set his eyes on the biggest match of his life – his wife Xie Xingfang, the former women’s world No. 1. He said he hopes to give his wife a good wedding, and has invited his rivals such as Lee and Taufik Hidayat.
A distraught Lee, meanwhile, apologised to his countrymen after going so close to winning the decisive set.
Lee would have received RM2 million ($795,000) from the Malaysian government and a furniture company, and a gold bar worth RM 2 million from Kuala Lumpur Racquet Club boss Datuk Seri Andrew Kam if he had won the gold medal.