Bad boy Lin Dan ready to roar

HONG KONG: With a reputation for temper tantrums, supreme confidence and badminton brilliance, Lin Dan is almost certain to steal a share of the limelight at the Beijing Olympics. World No 1 for the last 20 months straight, Lin Dan is regarded as the king of badminton and China's best chance of gold in an event the Red Army is determined to dominate. Winning 13 major singles titles in the last two years, including back-to-back world championships, Lin Dan, with a legion of fans behind him, exudes confidence. His romance with teammate Xie Xingfang, the world's No 1 player on the women's side, has earned them the nickname of badminton's golden couple. But the 24-year-old has a controversial side which at times has threatened to overshadow his masterful performances on court. In the lead-up to the Games, Lin Dan has been... [read full story]