Lin Dan: The eighth wonder

For the badminton fanatics, the dream final between Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei was close to becoming a reality now that the biggest obstacle in Lin Dan’s path to the final was out of the way.

Lin Dan won the dream final against Lee Chong Wei

Lin Dan did not disappoint in the semifinals, as he put on yet another great performance to defeat Vietnam’s Tien Minh Nguyen in straight games to reach the finals and set up the long awaited dream encounter with Lee Chong Wei.

It proved to be the battle of equals, as Chong Wei won the first game, but Lin Dan responded in style with an emphatic victory in the second.

The third proved to be a nail-biting game, with neither player being able to rack up a run of points. But in the end, Lin Dan managed to forge ahead, and a cramp for Lee Chong Wei, which forced him to retire at match point, handed Lin Dan one of his most memorable world titles.

A lot of questions were raised prior to the start of the World Championships regarding Lin Dan’s abilities. People were declaring that the world Championships would mark the beginning of the decline of Lin Dan.

Despite his victory, people questioned the legitimacy of his title by saying he gained an advantage in the final with the air-conditioning being turned off mid-way through the second game; clearly these were the people who did not watch the World Championships.

If anybody saw Lin Dan play over the course of the week, that person would be in no doubt that he still had what it took to be on top. The smashes were still powerful, the defence was still rock solid as ever, and moreover his ingenuity, and deceptive drops, along with his brilliant net game, re-affirmed the fact that Lin Dan was truly a genius and the greatest player of all time.

No one knows what Lin Dan will do next. Whether he’ll once again disappear and come back for the next World Championships directly or if he’ll continue playing regularly.

But one thing is for certain. Lin Dan provided the fans like he has been providing for so many years now, complete entertainment at the World Championships this year, and whatever happens next, he has secured his position among the greatest sportpersons.