26-5-2023 (Kuala Lumpur) Badminton legends “Super Dan” from China and Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei have been officially inducted into the World Badminton Federation Hall of Fame, announced the federation today.
The announcement was made through the federation’s official Facebook page, stating that the grand ceremony will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention and Exhibition Center on May 26. It remains to be seen whether Malaysian fans will have the privilege of witnessing “Zuo Lin You Li” sharing the same stage once again.
According to the World Badminton Federation, both players were the dominant forces in men’s singles during their generation. From the early 2000s until their retirement in 2019 and 2020 respectively, Li Lin left an indelible mark on the game.
Their remarkable dominance is evident from their combined five Olympic finals and ten BWF World Championship finals. Throughout their illustrious careers, Lin Li set numerous records, while Lee Chong Wei secured an astonishing 349 weeks as the world’s No. 1 ranked player, in addition to his 47 World Badminton Superseries and World Tour titles.
Lin Dan’s unrivaled success in Grand Slam tournaments includes two Olympic gold medals and five world titles. Their contributions to their respective countries’ team championships are equally significant, but their legacies go beyond mere championship triumphs.
BWF President praised the profound impact these two players have had on the sport, stating, “Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan have been the foremost ambassadors of badminton for the better part of the past 20 years. Through their exceptional performances, they have attracted an entire generation of fans to the sport. Their induction into the Hall of Fame is truly deserved.”
The induction ceremony of the BWF Hall of Fame will be broadcast live on BWF TV at 7:00 p.m.
