China claims fifth straight Thomas Cup title
Source: Agencies |
May 28, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
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SUPERSTAR Lin Dan led host China to an emphatic victory over South Korea in the Thomas Cup final in Wuhan, central Hubei Province, yesterday, sending a stark message he and his teammates are in peak form for the London Olympics.
Widely regarded as the best player of all time and a sporting hero in China, Lin threw his T-shirt into the crowd after his side was far too good in seeing off the Koreans 3-0 - repeating the feat of the women's team on Saturday.
"Lots went through my mind last night. I don't know how many more Thomas Cups I'll play. This one is at home and I wanted to put on a good show," said 28-year-old Lin, known as "Super Dan" to his adoring millions of fans.
"Every player gets nervous. When you're young it's because you're excited, it's the first time you wear your national colors. When you're older, it's because there's a lot of expectation... I didn't sleep so well last night."
But the reigning Olympic champion showed no signs of tiredness or nerves in his match against world No. 7 Lee Hyun-il, the 21-14, 21-17 victory easier than the scoreline suggested.
"At our level it doesn't matter if you win 21-9 or 21-19, it's the outcome that counts," Lin said as China picked up its fifth consecutive Thomas Cup title and ninth since the men's tournament began in 1949.
China's head coach Li Yongbo described Lin as "exceptional", gushing: "You get a player like him maybe once in a blue moon."
Li also brushed off the significance of China matching Indonesia's record of five consecutive titles.
"In two years, if we win another Thomas Cup, then that will be success. Chasing a record and surpassing one are two different things."
Looking to his final preparations for London, Lin said he wanted "everything to be like in 2008 before Beijing" - also a year China won the Thomas Cup.
"I am going to use every day as an opportunity to prepare and improve," said Lin, whose path to another gold may be a little easier since world No. 1 and arch rival Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia injured his ankle earlier in the week.
The South Korean pair of Lee Yong-dae and Kim Sa-rung fought hard in the second rubber but the Chinese duo Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng kept their composure to win 21-16, 25-23.
"We don't just have one good player in one match, our overall squad is very strong," Cai said.
Chen Long then needed just under an hour to wrap up the final with a 21-9, 21-13 win over Shon Wan-ho.
It was only the second Thomas Cup final for South Korea, which also lost the 2008 final to China.
Widely regarded as the best player of all time and a sporting hero in China, Lin threw his T-shirt into the crowd after his side was far too good in seeing off the Koreans 3-0 - repeating the feat of the women's team on Saturday.
"Lots went through my mind last night. I don't know how many more Thomas Cups I'll play. This one is at home and I wanted to put on a good show," said 28-year-old Lin, known as "Super Dan" to his adoring millions of fans.
"Every player gets nervous. When you're young it's because you're excited, it's the first time you wear your national colors. When you're older, it's because there's a lot of expectation... I didn't sleep so well last night."
But the reigning Olympic champion showed no signs of tiredness or nerves in his match against world No. 7 Lee Hyun-il, the 21-14, 21-17 victory easier than the scoreline suggested.
"At our level it doesn't matter if you win 21-9 or 21-19, it's the outcome that counts," Lin said as China picked up its fifth consecutive Thomas Cup title and ninth since the men's tournament began in 1949.
China's head coach Li Yongbo described Lin as "exceptional", gushing: "You get a player like him maybe once in a blue moon."
Li also brushed off the significance of China matching Indonesia's record of five consecutive titles.
"In two years, if we win another Thomas Cup, then that will be success. Chasing a record and surpassing one are two different things."
Looking to his final preparations for London, Lin said he wanted "everything to be like in 2008 before Beijing" - also a year China won the Thomas Cup.
"I am going to use every day as an opportunity to prepare and improve," said Lin, whose path to another gold may be a little easier since world No. 1 and arch rival Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia injured his ankle earlier in the week.
The South Korean pair of Lee Yong-dae and Kim Sa-rung fought hard in the second rubber but the Chinese duo Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng kept their composure to win 21-16, 25-23.
"We don't just have one good player in one match, our overall squad is very strong," Cai said.
Chen Long then needed just under an hour to wrap up the final with a 21-9, 21-13 win over Shon Wan-ho.
It was only the second Thomas Cup final for South Korea, which also lost the 2008 final to China.
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