WhereIsAtlas · Badminton
What Happened to Lin Dan?
The two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion known as "Super Dan" — a legend of the sport.
Lin Dan won two Olympic gold medals and five world championships, earning the nickname "Super Dan". Widely regarded as the greatest badminton player ever, he retired in 2020 after a 20-year career and remains an icon of Chinese sport.
"Super Dan" is born
Lin Dan was born in 1983 in China and became the most decorated badminton player in history. With two Olympic gold medals and five world championships, he earned the nickname "Super Dan" for a dominance that spanned more than a decade.
A ferocious attacking game
Lin Dan's game was defined by blistering speed, ferocious attacking power and enormous mental toughness. He combined athleticism with tactical brilliance, making him almost unbeatable at his peak and setting a standard no one has matched.
The great rivalry
Lin Dan's rivalry with Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat was one of the greatest in badminton history. Two transcendent players from the sport's golden era, they pushed each other to extraordinary heights and gave fans some of the most memorable matches ever played.
Where Lin Dan is now
Lin Dan retired in 2020 after 20 years in the national team. He is still regarded as the greatest badminton player ever and remains an icon in China and across the sport. He is the other pillar of the badminton lineage alongside Taufik Hidayat — two legends whose rivalry defined their generation.
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Sources
- Lin Dan - Wikipedia — Wikipedia (2026-09-05)
- Lin Dan retires from international badminton — Reuters (2026-09-05)