The 40 times of the "Lin Li Immortal Fighting Method" left good memories for fans.
We are both happy for Lin Dan's victory, but also sorry for Lee Chong Wei.
Edit|Farah Copywriting|Farah
Although he is the "second millennium", he is recognized as a "legend of the feather world".
It's just that I didn't expect that at the age of 36, I suffered from cancer and was tortured to the point that I was only skinny and bone-covering.
After falling ill, his wife never left him and accompanied him to fight the disease together.
After spending nearly 10 million yuan to continue his life, did he succeed in fighting cancer in the end? How are you doing now?
Both Yu and He Shengliang
Lin Dan is a legend in the Chinese badminton world, and the only badminton player who can win the "Double Grand Slam", as the king of badminton, Lin Dan's strength is obvious to all, he has defeated many masters, including Li Zongwei, who is known as the "second thousand-year-old".
In 2018, the two faced off in the All England Badminton Tournament and once again staged a "Lin Li War" for the audience, but when the fans were expecting them to face off again, Lee Chong Wei made a decision, that is, to retire.
The reason for his retirement is related to his body, although it is unavoidable, but it also makes many people feel pity.
Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan have played each other 40 times, and two of them have become the pinnacle of badminton history, one was at the 2011 World Championships, which was the first time that Lee Chong Wei entered the final of the World Championships.
In this game, Li Zongwei was originally in the upper hand, but was caught up by Lin Dan, in the tiebreaker, he also got two match points, but in the end he lost to Lin Dan and won the second place, Lin Dan successfully defended the title, but Li Zongwei lost this opportunity.
Another time was the London Olympics, the two played again, if they can win, then Li Chongwei can get the first gold medal in men's singles, in the case of Lin Dan won a game, Li Chongwei also successfully recovered a game, but in the end still missed the championship.
It's not that Li Zongwei hasn't won against Lin Dan, but the probability is relatively small. After the duel with Lin Dan was completed, Li Zongwei's life was not favored by good luck, he suffered from cancer, and this anti-cancer journey caused him a huge blow both physically and mentally.
worked hard to fight cancer, and his wife never gave up
In 2018, Li Zongwei was unwell and went for a check-up, but before he went, he thought it was a minor problem, perhaps because of a problem with his respiratory system, which caused him to have a major condition in his neck, and he was told that he had nasopharyngeal cancer.
From the moment of illness, it also meant that he had to temporarily withdraw from his career, but at this time, he did not choose to retire, but actively treated, thinking that one day he could return to the game.
After the illness, Li Zongwei went to Chinese Taipei for treatment, of which proton therapy was carried out 33 times, 35 minutes a day, and proton therapy alone cost nearly 10 million.
In the first three weeks, due to long-term treatment, Li Zongwei's throat has been completely broken, and he can't even eat anything, which is very hard, even if he wants to eat, he can't eat, and can only rely on anesthetics to swallow the food, and he can't even speak clearly if it is serious.
Due to long-term treatment, his body has also become emaciated, and the pain caused by the treatment has also made Li Zongwei suffer a lot of torture, and his pain, his wife has always seen it, and will secretly cry at night.
Although he didn't cry in front of Li Zongwei, Li Zongwei also felt her emotions, and seeing this situation, Li Zongwei also tried to cry secretly in the bathroom.
During this time, the family has always been by Li Zongwei's side, especially his wife, not to mention worrying about everything at home, but also taking care of the sick Li Zongwei, which is very hard, but fortunately, the effort and money are worth it.
After two months of painful treatment, all the cancer cells in his body dissipated, and after his body fully recovered, what Lee Chong Wei wanted to do most was to make a comeback, stand on the court again, and continue to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, but unfortunately this plan ultimately fell through.
Announced retirement, career ended
In 2019, Lee Chong Wei held a press conference in Malaysia, and at the launch site, he officially announced the end of his 19-year career and officially retired.
As a three-time Olympic runner-up winner, Li Zongwei's retirement made many people feel pity, and Li Zongwei also regretted that he did not win an Olympic gold medal, but at this time, he also had to make this choice.
Although the cancer has fully recovered, but in the process of treatment, his body has also collapsed, he is very weak compared to before, and he cannot continue to carry out high-intensity training, so he has no choice but to retire.
For him, retirement was a decision that had to be made, and at the same time, many people regretted his retirement, after all, his badminton career was not easy.
Lee Chong Wei comes from an ordinary family in Malaysia. When he was young, he was not very tall, and in order to make himself taller, Lee Chong Wei began to learn basketball.
But learning basketball is particularly hard, often have to endure the sun exposure, the face is tanned and swarthy, looking at her son like this, Li Zongwei's mother is very distressed, and finally let him give up basketball.
Later, Li Zongwei's father took him to the stadium to play, and Li Zongwei, who came into contact with badminton for the first time, just waved a few rackets at will, and was valued by the coach and accepted him as an apprentice, and it was from this moment that Li Zongwei officially came into contact with badminton.
Because of his good skills, his strength was also recognized, and he also entered the national team, and in the national championships, Lee Chong Wei also won the championship.
In 2004, he won his first Open Championship, soaring to 16 in the world rankings, and two years later, he went straight to the top of the world, Li Zhongwei became a rising star in the badminton world, and in 2008, he also became a torchbearer for the Beijing Olympics as a foreigner.
It's just that after meeting Lin Dan, Li Zongwei's badminton career has been hindered and he didn't win an Olympic championship, which makes many fans feel a pity.
In 2021, due to the epidemic, Li Zongwei's health was also threatened, and he could only quit his job as the head of the Tokyo Olympics delegation and concentrate on taking care of his body.
Although he has retired, he has also been recognized for his dedication in the badminton world. In 2023, he was also inducted into the BWF Hall of Fame Award with Lin Dan.
So how is Li Zongwei, who is now retired, doing?
Lose weight and enjoy life
In May this year, Li Zongwei attended the Sino-French badminton charity ceremony, which also gathered Lin Dan, Gade and other guests, it can be seen from the state of the scene that Li Zongwei's body at this time was abnormally thin, although he was also very thin before, but he was much thinner than before, which made many fans feel distressed.
Today's Li Zongwei also enjoys life with his family after work, and during the Chinese New Year this year, he also posted a video of celebrating the New Year with his family on social platforms.
Although Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan did not have the opportunity to meet in the tournament, they also organized a ball game in private, and this match also reminded many fans of the moment when they faced off.
Today's Li Zongwei has passed that difficult time, does not have to be tortured by illness, and lives happily with his family.
I also hope that he will have more and more success in the future and be in good health.