Lin Dan Burns 'Annual Chinese National Games Competition'

Annual Chinese National Games Competition

Lin Dan (at left) made history today, as he became the first person to defend their national title.  Dan was never in any danger of losing the match, as he controlled the pace and beat Bao Chunlai in straight sets 21-11, 21-3 in a short 35 minute match.  The complete oppostite to Dan's semi-fDu Jing/Yu Yang(R) from Liaoning province compete during the women's doubles final of badminton against Wang Xiaoli/Zhao Yunlei from Hubei province at the 11th Chinese National Games in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 18, 2009. Du Jing/Yu Yang won 2-0 and claimed the title of the event. (Xinhua/Chen Xiaowei)inal 

clash, which lasted 82 minutes.  This was a repeat of the national games four years ago in which the end result was the same. Bao has been suffering from injuries (particularly to his knee) as of late, and it is being reported he hasn't been able to train properly for three months.                            

In the men's doubles Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng faced off against each other again as they both played with other partners.  Cai Yun, partnering Xu Chen beat Fu and his partner Chen Qiqiu.  They won in two sets 21-15, 21-16.  Cai Yun also won a team gold for Jiangsu last week, and so he will be going home with two gold medals from the games.

In the women's doubles it was the reigning Olympic champions  Du Jing and Yu Yang (at right) coming out on top over Zhao Yunlei and Wang Xiaoli from Hubei 21-13, 21-14.  Four years ago Du and Yu had to settle for a bronze medal.