April Fools’ Day News – Lin Dan: “I’m quitting badminton”

Happy April Fools’ Day, Badzine readers!

The news came from the newspaper China Weekly, in an exclusive interview that Lin Dan is quitting badminton, for good.

The two-time Olympic champion mentioned to the Chinese TV channel that he was now looking for a new career as a business manager. “I’ve won it all, I’ve given my life to play badminton and I’ve spent too many hours on a court. I think I have given enough to my country, and I need now to think about myself and my own career. I intend to take care of my own brand of clothing,” said Lin in the interview.

There had been hints that things were not going smoothly when he had announced that he would like to participate in the All England this year, but his name was taken off the list at the last minute.

Lin Dan is probably one of the best players that the world has ever known, and long-term rival Lee Chong Wei might be rejoicing as Lin will not defend his World Championship title in Guangzhou this year, which means the Malaysian is favourite to take the title for the first time.

As some of you noticed, the publishing date of this news item is April 1st. It is an April Fools’ Day joke. Lin Dan made no such anouncements. We, at Badzine, are looking forward to seeing him play at the Sudirman Cup next month in Kuala Lumpur and at the Badminton Asia Championships later this month in Taipei.