TIANJIN, Sept. 6 -- Badminton star Lin Dan entered the men's singles final for the fifth consecutive time at the 13th Chinese National Games here on Wednesday.
As a two-time Olympic and five-time world champion, Lin is dominant in the Games, held every four years. He has participated in five Games since 2001, entered all of the five men's singles finals, won gold medals in 2005, 2009 and 2013.
Lin, representing team of Beijing, played two matches in one day. In the morning session, he was pushed to three sets by national teammate Huang Yuxiang of Zhejiang province before winning the quarterfinals 20-22, 21-13, 21-12. In evening's semifinals, he defeated Lu Guangzu of Jiangsu province, the winner over Rio Olympic champion Chen Long in second round, in three sets, 21-15, 12-21, 21-11.
Lin was defeated by Denmark's Viktor Axelsen in the final of the World Championships in August, after which he and his national teammates flew directly from Glasgow, Scotland to Tianjin, 140 kilometers southeast of Beijing, the host city of the Games.
"The National Games is right after the World Championships. The World Championships was consuming to me, but once on the court of the National Games, I have to adjust myself to the best form," said Lin.
Lin will face national teammate Shi Yuqi in the final, and will fight for a fourth consecutive crown at the Games for yet another record.