Wuhan ( China)
Superstar Lin Dan led hosts China to an emphatic victory over South Korea in the Thomas Cup final on Sunday, sending a stark message he and his teammates are in peak form for the London Olympics.
Widely regarde
d as the best player of all time and a sporting hero in China, Lin threw his T- shirt into the Wuhan crowd after his side was far too good in seeing off the Koreans 3- 0, repeating the feat of the womens team on Saturday.
‘Lots went through my mind last night. I donalt39t know how many more Thomas Cups Ialt39ll play. This one is at home and I wanted to put on a good show,’said 28- year- old Lin, known as alt145 Super Danalt39to his adoring millions of fans.
‘Every player gets nervous.
When youalt39re young its because youalt39re excited, its the first time you wear your national colours. When youalt39re older, its because theres a lot of expectation… I didnalt39t sleep so well last night.’But the reigning Olympic champion showed no signs of tiredness or nerves in his match against Lee Hyun- Il, the 21- 14, 21- 17 victory easier than the scoreline suggested.
‘At our level it doesnalt39t matter if you win 21- 9 or 21- 19, its the outcome that counts,’Lin said as China picked up their fifth consecutive Thomas Cup title and ninth since the mens tournament began in 1949.
South Koreas world number seven managed to push the world number two harder in the second game, drawing even at 17- 17 as Lin buried a smash into the net.
But he failed to win another point.
‘There were no tactical changes between the
games,’said Lee, ‘I just took every point as it came.
But in the end I made too many mistakes. Thats why I lost.’South Koreas coach Sung Han- Kook had said the first singles was the key match — whoever wins takes the momentum in the tie. ‘He is a superior player,’said Lee, ‘his accuracy and speed are remarkable. And it is his consistency throughout a match that keeps him apart from the rest.’Looking ahead to his final preparations ahead of London, Lin said he wanted ‘everything to be like in 2008 before Beijing,’also the year China won the Thomas Cup.
