Today, Lin Dan once again showed supreme sportsmanship. At the point line of 2-2. Vittinghus smashed to the line but it was called out. Instead of him making the call for challenge, Lin Dan did it. He called it because he thinks Vittinghus deserve to win the point. At the end, LD was right and Vittinghus won the point. He showed the badminton world another function for the challenge system, calling the equity among pro players. I just hope that the challenge system is available everywhere so that people won't cheat on blinded area anymore. Lin Dan earns everyone's attention even more and a big thumbs up was given to him. Lin Dan, Salute!
Have you not followed LD and the sponsorship deal in the slightest for the past year or so? He was not allowed to wear Yonex apparel since Li Ning is still sponsoring the Chinese team. For show matches and stuff it's fine, but as long as he plays as part of the Chinese team, he has to wear LN clothes. That he is allowed a deviating sponsor for his racket, shoes and bag etc is already a huge deal for a Chinese player. Was Chen Hong still on the team when he signed with Victor, or was he playing as an Individual by then? If he was, then LD might be the first one to ever do this, otherwise he'd only be the second. LYB also made it clear that other should not get their hopes up, as this is (at this point) a one-time thing and only is allowed because of LD unparalleled success.
Individual event yet team event. As long as he represents China, or BCA, going together with his China teammates along the Chinese coaches, he has to wear Li-Ning appeals. Unless there goes the event where he represents Gucci, Prada, Burberry...or even at some exhibition matches, then he has the chance to wear his yonex appeals, I hope you understand what I'm saying
Its not just team events where he has to wear the LN clothes, it's events he participates in as member of the Chinese badminton team. That means all international competition, since he is still a part of and trains with the team.
Really, props to LD. I'll have to watch that point. I'm pretty sure Vittinghus, the umpire, and coaches on both sides were collectively scratching their heads, going "huh?"
[MENTION]Lin Dan has lost again![/MENTION] This recent loss to Jorgensen 21-12 21-15 in the World Championships QF is one of his most humiliating losses ever. How to win the Olympics next year if he cannot even medal in this WC? Discuss Lin Dan´s going downhill in this thread
Maybe it was intended? Avoiding games against LCW and surprise all at Rio 2016? Or he wants LCW to win agains CL?
LD is still younger than LCW and can push physically if he wants to. But up to his will power. Doesn't look good at the moment. One last hurrah for O16 maybe.
It's over for LD. He isn't motivated to win anymore. He is old, that is true. But LCW is one year older and Peter Gade was 35 at the last Olympics. Even for LD's age, if he was motivated to train enough and keep fit enough, he would be in better shape than today. That doesn't mean LD can win a WC at his age, but I'm sure he would have given a better performance than he did today. Just look at the SS losses for LD over the last year. Everybody is beating LD now. I think LD is only playing because he can collect that sponsorship money from Yonex. I'm glad LD is still playing for nostalgia's sake but I have very little expectations for him. Maybe China should consider sending another youngster in LD's place for Rio 2016.
Lindan is a player of great mental strength. This loss is just temporary and further he lost to a good player like JOJ. So it's immature to comment that he is going downhill. All great players lose games in their career.
Yes, LD has exceptional mental strength - only when he cares. The problem is, I don't think LD cares anymore.
Mental strength is something that you get in born / trained to get through winning games. Lindan, by his experience doesn't need to care as mental strength automatically developed in him through years of Badminton. For players like Lindan, this loss is just a passing cloud.
Analysis of his 1st game loss due to too many unforced error make. Poor form leads to his loss. 2rd game loss due to Lin dan too many netting , which turn out to be too high, which allow Jorgensen to tap him. Gone are Lin Dan jump smashes which used to be deadly, playing the old man style lobbing and drop , netting is killing him at games.
