Born: October 14, 1983
Country: China
Events: Badminton
Other Records:
2003 Denmark Open
2003 Hong Kong Open
2003 China Open
2004 Swiss Open
2004 All England Open
Lin is not only the world's No. 1-ranked player, he is already, at age 21, his sport's most flamboyant.
Having chalked up an impressive record of only one defeat in a run stretching more than 30 matches since October, 2003, he is a power to be reckoned. Since losing 4-15, 4-15 in the German Open final in September 2003 to South Korean Lee Hyun-il, the 21-year-old has won the Hong Kong Open, China Open, Swiss Open and the All-England Championships as well as staying unbeaten in the first singles throughout China’s successful Thomas Cup qualifiers and Finals campaign.
The only blot in his resume was the 13-15, 10-15 semi-final loss to compatriot Bao Chunlai in the Japan Open in April.
He is often referred to as the ‘Super Dan’ because of his on-court theatrics which include pirouetting up after diving to make a shot and, more famously, tearing off his shirt and tossing it into the crowd after a win.