Beijing: One day after Shi Yuqi defeated Kento Momota to claim the 2018 BWF World Tour Finals title in Guangzhou, China, Chinese media gathered at a track and field training center to interview Chinese sprinter Su Bingtian. While talking to Su who twice equaled the Asian record of 9.91 earlier last year and clocked 9.92 to take the Asian Games title in Jakarta last August, the Chinese media accidentally saw Lin Dan was in the training center doing some running.
According to Su, Lin Dan has been training at the center two or three times a week.
The 35-year-old Lin Dan was accompanied by his fitness coach while doing the sprinting workout.
Lin was a little surprised that there were so many reporters at the training center.
“I have been running in here for a week, and I have not seen so many reporters. May be I should wait and run the track after you guys are gone?” the two-time Olympic champion joked.
Lin, who has gone from “Super Dan” to “First Round Lin” after suffering nine first round exits in 19 tournaments in 2018, was clearly not giving up his hope of qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He did not participate in the Chinese Badminton Super League this winter, instead, he used this time to focus on strengthening his physical fitness. Nevertheless, he must compete with Shi Yuqi and Chen Long for the only two spots allocated for each country in the Olympics qualification.
If he eventually reaches Tokyo, he will be making his fifth appearance in the Games since his debut in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Wish Lin Dan good luck in 2019!
