NOVEMBER 22, 20 CHINA DAILY PAGE 3 TOP PERFORMERS ‘Super Dan’ is still the man CHINA’S ICON TREATS FANS TO STYLISH SALUTE AFTER NAILING ELUSIVE ASIAD TITLE By YU YILEI CHINA DAILY GUANGZHOU — First he ripped off his shirt. Th en he made a military salute to the audience. Then he took off his shoes and threw them into the crowd at the packed Tianhe Stadium. Lin Dan of China fi nished off a mouth-water- ing showdown BADMINTON with archrival Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia with an emotional celebration as the bad- minton icon completed a career grand slam by being crowned the Asian Games singles champion. Th e Beijing Olympics and two- time world champion overcame Lee in a three-set tussle, 21-13, 15-21, 21-10 on Sunday, to clinch the only major title missing from his glittering resume. “Th is is one of the most outstand- ing games of the Asian Games so LIU JIN / AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE far. Both of us played very hard and I am just the lucky one,” said the Lin Dan of China throws his shoes to supporters after beating Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia during their badminton men’s singles fi nal on Sunday. Lin captured the one major title missing from his bulging trophy cabinet as he fought his way to a pulsating 21-13, 15-21, 21-10 win. man known as “Super Dan”. As expected, Lee, the current Lee tried his best to hang on, but training. So I am satisfi ed to have Meanwhile, Lee was desperate To the fans’ disappointment, that world No 1 who defeated Lin in the could not stop Lin from wrapping won the silver,” he said. to get rid of his “choker” image could be the last showdown at the Japan Super Series fi nal earlier this up the match with one of his trade- The match was also a battle of and give his country its fi rst men’s Asian Games as both players said year, put up a gallant show against mark smashes. mental power as both fi nalists were singles gold medal since the 1970 they would like to make room for the Chinese title favorite, particu- “That was the best I could do. playing under huge pressure. Bangkok Games. younger players. larly aft er Lin won the fi rst set with In the third game I couldn’t keep Lin is currently the hottest sports “Both of us were under huge “Th is is likely to be my last Asian ease. my stamina up, especially aft er last fi gure in China. Playing in Guang- pressure and our performances Games and I am pleased that I With fine placement of the night’s long match. I tried my best zhou, known as a badminton-crazy tonight deserve recognition. I have could deliver an excellent perfor- shuttle, Lee built an early lead in and although I am disappointed, I city, and in front of his girlfriend Xie to say that Lee is a very respectful mance,” Lin said. the second set and then dragged am happy with my overall perfor- Xingfang, a former women’s singles and good opponent,” Lin said. When asked what is next on his the match into the deciding set by mance,” Lee said. world No 1, made his task more dif- Even Chen Jin, the reigning agenda, Lin said he would take a leveling the score. The Malaysian was somewhat fi cult. world champion and the bronze good rest fi rst. However, his form fell off in the hampered by a back injury that Since arriving in the city last medalist who was beaten by Lee in “I am not thinking that far ahead. third set and turned a neck-and- almost kept him out of the Guang- month, he has received the sort the semis, was wowed. “Aft er watch- I need time to adjust back to nor- neck competition into a predicable zhou tournament. of attention that could only be ing the game, I realized I don’t have mal aft er enjoying this kind of huge victory for Lin, who raced to a 10-1 “After Japan and the World matched by NBA star Yao Ming, the kind of patience and fl exibility excitement. lead in quick fashion and was never Championships, I sustained a back who played a pre-season NBA Chi- they showed tonight. Th ey are very “I am just glad I could fulfi ll the seriously threatened aft er that. injury and could not attend full na game here earlier this month. respectful players,” said Chen. fans’ expectations of me.” GOLD MEDALISTS >> OTHER OUTSTANDING ATHLETES BASKETBALL BADMINTON SHOOTING Host’s hoopsters Lee/Shin lift China wins 3 stay unbeaten mixed title trap golds China rode the outside Korea’s Lee Hyo-jung and Gold medalist Li Qingnian shooting of guard Sun Yue, Shin Baek-cheol (left ) gesture and her son celebrate during who scored 19 points, as the aft er receiving their gold the medals ceremony for reigning champion knocked medals in the mixed doubles China’s women’s shooting badminton fi nal at the 16th double trap individual and off Korea 76-66 on Sunday to Asian Games in Guangzhou team fi nals on Sunday. remain unbeaten at the Asian on Sunday. China won three of the four Games basketball. Firm home support failed to double trap golds to take Former NBA center Wang help China’s Zhang Nan and their tally to 19 from the 40 Zhizhi led China’s inside Zhao Yunlei as they lost to shooting titles contested so attack with 16 points, while his the Korean pair 21-19, 21-14 far in the 44-event competi- front court mate Ding Jinhui in the fi nal. tion. scored eight of his 10 points in REUTERS AFP the third quarter. AFP.