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World Junior Champs Player Profiles - Lin Dan & Amalie Dynne
November 08, 2000 - Source : IBF
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Throughout the World Junior Championships, World Badminton will be talking to some of the stars of tomorrow. Today, we caught up with Asian Junior Champion Lin Dan, and Denmark's Amalie Dynnes Orsted....
Lin Dan: A young and promising star
"I am not the best junior player of China. Many other players could have been pretenders to the first seed spot," says 17-year-old Lin Dan, the young Chinese player who was a great help to his squad for the final victory in the team event last Saturday. And with what he showed on court, he should be bragging about this first seeding in the individual event.
Yet Lin Dan is not the kind of person to brag about anything. "I just love to play and have fun on court. I'll do my best in this event but I don't feel any special pressure because I'm the first seed," He started playing badminton at the age of six, in Fu Han province. "My mother always told me that I could not stand still one minute. I guess that's why I chose badminton." Even if none of his relatives or close friends played badminton, he would often drop by the sports complex after school to watch the shuttles fly. "I found it fascinating because of the speed of the game, and I started to play as soon as I could," said Lin.
A few years later, he was knocking at the door of the national training centre in Beijing. That was four months ago. "It's very hard there, but I learn a lot, and it's nice to train with the best players," he says in a shy smile. He admits that he likes the training sessions when they're on court, not so much jogging and building up muscles. Yet there's no doubt that Lin Dan is practising in every way to improve his game. Very thin, he still is able to give a lot of power to his high jump smashes thanks to his velocity.
"My game is oriented on the attack and jump smashing is what I like most," says the promising lefthander - a fact that many players have already learned at their own expense, just like in the Asian Junior Championships, where he won the title. But there is a long way to go before this world crown. A road filled with other talented players, among which are many of his compatriots.
Who do you most admire in the world of badminton and why?
I admire Sun Jun and Peter Gade because they are able to play at a very high level without being too stressed by the pressure.
What does it mean to you to play in the World Junior Championships?
It is very important as I've never been in such a big tournament. I will try to do my best in these world Championships. It's alright to lose a match, as long as you don't forget the lessons!
What is your most embarrassing moment?
It is when I go to a foreign country and I'm not able to understand English or the language they speak. If you could change anything in badminton, what would it be?
I'm fully satisfied with the way it is now, even if I liked better the old scoring system, going to 15 points.
If you could go out with anybody in the world, who would it be and why?
Michael Jordan because I love basketball!
Amalie Dynnes Orsted: The ever-joking mailwoman
Don't be surprised if you see a tall blonde girl in the middle of an Asian crowd, trying to get some attention by waving and doing all kinds of funny things. It might very well be Amalie Dynnes Orsted, one of the Danish Juniors here in Guangzhou. This is what she did while her team was playing against Singapore, cheering out loud and trying to get the locals to support Denmark. Her strength of persuasion is as strong as her sense of humour - she had the Chinese public following her claps and laughter.
Born in May 1982, Amalie started playing seven years later, following in her father''s footsteps. Her first breakthrough was when she was 12: she reached the final of the National Championships of her category. Then she wore two national crowns in the under 17's. "I still have good competition with Mette and Mie Nielsen, but I wish I could go train with the best seniors," says Amalie in one of her usual laughs.
In order to do just that, Amalie is working hard: "I try to practise at least 8 times a week, with 2 hours in each session. Sometimes it's very hard because I have to wake up early to go to work ". And if she doesn't go to work, then the people living in Cagen would not receive letters anymore: she delivers the mail. She has just finished school and intends to focus on badminton for a while before getting a higher education. "I don''t really know what I want to do, so while I'm thinking - I''m a very thoughtful person - I might as well play badminton! " (laughs). And her ambition is to get within the top 10.
Her inspiration? She probably gets it from her other passion: watching the sitcom "Friends" on TV. "But don''t tell my parents, they probably think of me as an intellectual, I wouldn't want to disappoint them (laugh). An intellectual who likes just about any sport. "I've tried them all, except Golf. As a matter of fact I might be the only Dane left not to play golf."
One thing is certain: Amalie likes China. "I like it here, I got to visit a little bit of the city, and I like the traditional Chinese streets and market. It has kept the Chinese charm. I always like to know different cultures."
Who do you most admire in the world of badminton and why?
Dai Yun. In general, I'm fascinated by the Chinese players' calm attitude. Dai Yun is good, never showing her opponent if she's discontent with her game. I met her once in Beijing and although we couldn't communicate with words, she was veryand smiling and "down to earth". But the main reason I admire her is because she represents a type of badminton I'd like to play and love to watch: offensive with a very high level of technique. As a person, she also seems very charming and interesting.
What does it mean to you to play in the World Junior Championships?
It''s like a prize I have won after training hard for 5 years. To be in a tournament like this is why I play badminton.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
There are quite a few actually. I like seeing people laugh and If I have to do something embarrassing to make that happen, I don''t mind so.
An example?
I mooned on the Great Wall early this year! After a couple of beers I enjoy skinny dipping, preferably with a couple of spectators.
If you could change anything in badminton, what would it be?
In Europe, we're not as enthusiastic spectators as here in Asia, and that's a shame. To make badminton a bigger sport in Europe, I think we should get players who are able to encourage the spectators to cheer more wildly.
If you could go out with anybody in the world, who would it be and why?
I would like to travel back in time to 1979 and go out to dinner with Mohammad Ali right after he won his match in the world championships against George Foreman. I would sit and listen to him brag about his victory, telling me over and over how fast he is and how hard he kept hitting Foreman. He had a fantastic vocabulary and at the same time he was a speed talker. Therefore, the interview with him was great entertainment. When he had calmed down a little bit, I liked to listen to him talk about how America needed to change the living conditions for the black community. He had the courage to speak up and use all the attention on him to change the world. |
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