Lin Dan of China (R) holds the Thomas champion trophy with his teammate Chen Jin on the podium during the awarding ceremony for the Thomas Cup in Wuhan, China, Sunday. — AFP


WUHAN, China – Superstar Lin Dan led host China to an emphatic victory over South Korea in the Thomas Cup final Sunday, sending a stark message to rivals in the London Olympics.
The men’s victory caps a stunning week for China’s Olympic preparations, after the women’s team won the Uber Cup, also against South Korea, and also without dropping a single match on the way.
Widely regarded as the best player of all time and a sporting hero in China, Lin threw his t-shirt into the Wuhan crowd after his side were far too good in seeing off the Koreans 3-0 – repeating the feat of the women’s team Saturday.
“Lots went through my mind last night. I don’t know how many more Thomas Cups I’ll play. This one is at home and I wanted to put on a good show,” said 28-year-old Lin, known as “Super Dan” to his adoring millions of fans.
“Every player gets nervous. When you’re young it’s because you’re excited, it’s the first time you wear your national colours. When you’re older, it’s because there’s a lot of expectation... I didn’t sleep so well last night.”
But the reigning Olympic champion showed no signs of tiredness or nerves in his match against Lee Hyun-Il, the 21-14, 21-17 victory easier than the scoreline suggested.
“At our level it doesn’t matter if you win 21-9 or 21-19, it’s the outcome that counts,” Lin said as China picked up its fifth consecutive Thomas Cup title and ninth since the men’s tournament began in 1949.
South Korea’s doubles pairing put up a fight to rescue the final, but when they failed to convert a handful of game points the Chinese duo punished them, with Fu Haifeng ripping off his t-shirt as they won 21-16, 25-23.
It was left to the towering Chen Long to wrap up the match for his country. He did the business, outclassing the in-form Shon Wan-Ho, especially with some exquisite backhand slices, to win 21-9, 21-13. — AFP