DAN, THE DON
   Date :06-Jul-2020
SOME stories are destined to end without the actual climax. They ride a wave of anticipation, bringing along moments of ecstasy, stoking a desire for more, and then leaving an emptiness that again becomes a new story. When Chinese legend Lin Dan pulled curtains on his badminton journey on Saturday he became that story – of an untold emptiness in one corner of the heart. ‘Super Dan’ has chosen a life into the sunset, leaving behind bright flashes full of his unyielding spirit.
 
The world of badminton has become a tad poorer without Dan, The Don. Old Father Time would have had his say anyway. Dan had fought well to extend the call but absence of international competition since mid-March when the coronavirus pandemic hit the world, and postponement of Tokyo Olympics by a year eventually forced the retirement. The 36-year-old was ready for another shot at the Olympics gold in a bid to add to his back-to-back golds in 2008 and 2012 editions but finally bowed to destiny’s rasping smash. Before the last smash, Dan ruled the court on his own terms, making his mark with nimble-footed surges in the square, upping ante in the middle of the game, changing gears with gliding comfort, unleashing a blinding pace to leave the opponent and the world awestruck.
 
For two decades, he wore dominance on his sleeves to win five World Championships, six All England crown, and half-a-dozen Thomas Cup triumphs to give his national team the international supremacy. The southpaw ended his career with 66 international titles, with a success record of 666 wins against 128 losses from the 794 matches he played on the world circuit. If this is not greatness then nothing is. ‘Super Dan’ made it possible only on the dint of his unflappable temperament that marked him apart as the champion to beat. His career was a product of undisputed talent that got the right mix of mental toughness, stamina, diligence and consistency.
 
The heady mix served Dan in forging one of the greatest rivalries in the world of badminton with Malaysian Lee Chong Wei. The two played out a magnificent duel for over a decade, running for the top spot in badminton, serving extraordinary stuff with their performances. Talk about Mohammed Ali-Joe Frazier, Bjon Borg-John McEnroe, Roger Federer-Rafa Nadal rivalries and the duel between the two living legends of badminton was right up there. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Dan was totally responsible for Wei getting the greatest ever under-achiever tag. That is mute testimony to Dan’s greatness and longevity. And a wonderful memory for his fans.