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Lin Dan: National Hero or Spoiled Brat?

Saturday, 12th April 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)

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He's the number one player in the world in one of China's most popular sports, but sometimes badminton star Lin Dan looks more than a kid with a bad temper than like the athlete-ambassador he could be. He showed his hothead side recently when he punched his own coach during a doubles practice session. China Daily's story about the incident also refers to an earlier altercation between Lin and South Korea's head coach. Maybe he's just trying to show Yi Jianlian how to look a little meaner.

The story came out right after the entry lists for the Asian Badminton Championships were made public. Lin Dan will be playing in the event starting April 15 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, along with several of China's other top players. The tournament will help determine seeding for the Olympics in August.

Update: Lin denies clocking his coach but the paper that originally reported it is sticking by its story. Head coach Li Yongbo doubts the veracity of the story and the alleged target of Lin's rage, coach Ji Xinpeng, only says that something "displeasing" happened.

Image: China Daily

Tags: badminton, Lin Dan