Birmingham: Lin Dan’s illustrious badminton career has inspired countless badminton players all over the world, but to hear it straight from the new All-England champion – Li Shi Feng, was really special.
Highlights of Li Shi Feng vs. Shi Yu Qi in the 2023 All-England final:
China’s World No. 14 Li Shi Feng defeated compatriot and World No. 12 Shi Yu Qi 26-24, 21-5 to win his first ever All England title which was also his first BWF World Tour title on Sunday. After his victory, he was asked who is his badminton hero, the 23-year-old didn’t hesitate a bit and quickly said: “It has to be Lin Dan!”
Li Shi Feng talked about Lin Dan in post-game interview:
When Shi Yu Qi won his first All England in 2018 by beating Lin Dan 21-19, 16-21, 21-9 in the final, Shi was asked a similar question, and Shi said: “Lin Dan is a great athlete, whether or not if I win or lose in today’s match, there are so many things that I can learn from him,” said Shi.
Listen to what Shi Yu Qi said about Lin Dan after the 2018 All-England men’s singles final:
One of the problems young Chinese players face is consistency. World No. 27 Weng Hong Yang was playing like young Lin Dan when he smashed all the way to win the 2022 Korea Open. However, he has not been able to create any impact in the men’s singles category after that. If Li Shi Feng could avoid that inconsistency problem and continue to improve, he is surely a gold medal contender for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Meanwhile, in an all-Indonesian men’s doubles final, World No. 1 Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto overcame World No. 2 and two times All England champions (2014, 2019) Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan 21-17, 21-14 for their maiden All England trophy. In the second game, when Alfian/Ardianto were leading 20-14, Ahsan injured his left knee and was seeking medical treatment. He and Setiawan could have just retired from the match, instead, Ahsan showed a great amount of sportsmanship and how he wanted Alfian/Ardianto to win the last point on the court to officially became an All-England champion. Ahsan then, was walking with a limp to re-enter the court, and let Alfian/Ardianto concluded the match by winning the 21st point.
Highlights of Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto vs. Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan in the 2023 All-England final:
In addition to men’s singles, China also claimed the mixed doubles title through Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong when they beat Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yu Jung 21-16, 16-21, and 21-12.
Besides China, the Korean team was also another big winner in 2023 All England when they clinched the women’s doubles trophy through Kim So Yeong/Kong Hee Yong by beating compatriots Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee 21-5, 21-12, while An Se Young came back from a game down to deny Chen Yufei her second All England title (she won in 2019), beating the Tokyo Olympic champion 21-17, 10-21, 21-19 in 75 minutes.
