Lin Dan

He became involved with Xie Xingfang, a former world champion badminton player, in 2003. Initially the couple kept their relationship a secret and got engaged in 2010. They got married on 23 September 2012.

He is famous for his multiple tattoos which have often created controversy.

He was born on 14 October 1983 in Longyan, Fujian, China to Gao Xiuyu and Lin Jianbin.

When he was young his parents wanted him to learn piano. But the young Lin Dan was more interested in playing badminton and chose to play the sport when he was only five.

He joined the sports troop of the People’s Liberation Army when he was 13 and started playing for China’s national badminton team when he was 18.

He participated in the 2000 Asian Junior Championships and won both the team and boys’ singles event. He was also a part of the winning team in the 2000 World Junior Championships.

Playing as a member of China’s 2002 Thomas Cup squad, he helped his team defeat Sweden, Denmark, and Korea to reach the semifinals. But he could not play in the crucial semifinal which his team ultimately lost.

He made his inaugural debut in the World Championships in Birmingham, England in 2003. He won the first two rounds against Per-Henrik Croona and Przemysław Wacha respectively, but was beaten by Xia in the third round match.

The year 2004 was a good one for him. He was ranked No. 1 by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for the first time in February. He won the Swiss Open and also the All England Open. He also reached the semifinal of the Japan Open the same year.

His phenomenal success came to a brief halt in late 2004. He lost in the quarterfinals of the Malaysian Open and was ousted early on from the Olympic Games.

He won the Eddie Choong Player of the Year award for two consecutive years in 2006 and 2007.

He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) during the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.