Lin Dan: stiff task for China to remain at the top in the world ranking – Badminton news
China’s top shuttler, Lin Dan, says that it becomes harder for China to remain at the top in the world rankings,
as many shuttlers from other nations are coming close the top Chinese shuttlers.
After beating Japan’s Men’s Singles talented shuttler, Sho Sasaki, in the group match of Sudirman Cup, Lin said,
“It is getting harder for us to stay at the top.”
Lin, who is the generally regarded as the most celebrated and successful player in the entire history of the game,
had to struggle very hard to beat Sasaki, who clinched the Men’s Singles title in the last month’s Australian Open Grand Prix Gold 2011.
After his victory, the Chinese hero said that players deliver better performances when they play against Chinese
shuttlers, as it pushes them to perform well against the top athletes.
The 27-years-old Chinese has the honour of winning the Men’s Singles titles in the World Championships and Olympic
Games. He is looking forward to win the World Championship 2011, along with the 2012 London Olympics. Lin is one of the most prolific players, which the world of badminton has ever seen.
While talking about his quivering performance against the Japanese, Lin said, “Sho may not win most competitions
but he will always go all out against Chinese opponents, as evident by his two recent victories over world champion Chen Jin.”
He further added, “I have been playing against Sho since we were juniors in the Asian Championship. He has improved
tremendously since then, but that is the case with all the other players.”
Sasaki has improved a lot in the last couple of years. In the recent event of India Open Super Series 2011, the
Japanese thrashed the ruling World Champion, Chen Jin of China, proving that he is no more an average shuttler.
Lin had to employ all he had against the Japanese and managed a point for his team in the Men’s Singles category.
He emerged as the winner of the straight set match with a tight margin of 22-20 and 21-19.
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