Beijing Olympics and three time world badminton champion Lin Dan and world number one Lee Chong Wei will extend their long time duel to the 2012 Olympic Games while China once again dominates the event at the Asian Games.
On the final day of the badminton competition, China won the fifth gold medal through Lin who outplayed Malaysian ace Lee in a breathtaking singles final on November 21. Both Lin, 27, and Lee, 28, already have their eyes set on the 2012 London Olympic Games. "There are only two years left. I will cherish the time left and work harder and do better," said Lin.
Lee said that this is the last Asian Games for him but he will go to London. "This may be my last Asian Games. Maybe it's time to give the younger players a chance. I will prepare for the London 2012 Olympics though," said Lee who lost the Beijing Olympics title to Lin in 2008.
China also seized both team titles and women's singles and doubles wins out of the seven gold medals on offer at the Asian Games, which includes a compound of the world championships and the Thomas and Uber Cup with just a few European masterhands missing.
The Chinese women's team found no match in Asia while they enjoyed two one-two finishes in the singles and doubles rolling to a team win. Wang Shixian, pushed aside Wang Xin for her first multi-sport international victory. Wang represents a new generation of Chinese women players, dubbed the "Little Flowers" that include injured world champion Wang Lin, 21, All-England winner Wang Yihan, 22 and 2009 world champion Lu Lan, 23 as well as Wang Xin.
Doubles winners include make-shift pair Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei who defeated Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang.
The first three days of team competition saw China honor their promise to retain the team's glories as the men's team successfully defended their title and the women's team lifted the fourth straight and ninth overall trophy at the Asian Games since China returned to the quadrennial continental sports meet in 1974.
In their running to the top of the podium, the Chinese women lost two sets against South Korea and Thailand while the men's team were met with fiercer competition by conceding one match in the final against South Korea.
Chinese head coach Li Yongbo said he was satisfied with his players in the team competition but saw a potential rival in Thailand which stunned the field to win the women's team silver and the men's bronze. "Thailand has made big progress that we can see in the Asian Games. I think Thailand will be the country to make a difference in the future badminton world map," said Li.
South Korea retained their reign in the mixed doubles at the Asian Games as Shin Baekcheol and Lee Hyojung overcame Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei of China. South Korea won six mixed doubles titles at the Asian Games with and no other team has more than two. Lee, 29, had never won a final at the Asian Games besides her one silver and five bronze medals. She eventually fulfilled her dream with youngster Shin, 21 instead of her Beijing Olympic Games winning partner Lee Yongdae. Lee Yongdae won a bronze medal in the men's doubles with Chung Jaesung here.
Indonesia carriedon their tradition to win at least one gold medal in the badminton competition at each Asian Games as Beijing Olympic champions Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan overcame Malaysian defending champions Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong.
