Lin Dan eyes new record at China's National Games

Badminton superstar Lin Dan hopes to win his third consecutive crown in China's National Games for yet another record.

Lin, representing the People's Liberation Army delegation, claimed an easy 2-0 victory over Huang Yuxiang of Zhejiang Province in Sunday's opening match of the men's team event.

Lin, the first man to clinch back-to-back Olympic titles last August in London, will later compete in the singles event, in which he won gold in the 2005 and 2009 editions of the Games.

"It's my fourth National Games. I feel very proud, because it is very difficult for me or any other player to compete in the Games four times in a row," said the 30-year-old southpaw.

"If I can win the singles event, I will become the first player to win the title for the third consecutive time. I hope to set this new record," he added.

In August, Lin made successful return to action after one year off since the London Olympics, becoming the first man to win five world championships singles titles.

The National Games, billed as China's mini-Olympics, has long been a fierce battlefield for the participants. Good results at the Games are regarded as achievements of provincial sport bureaus and medal winners usually reap greater rewards than the international competitions.

Besides Lin Dan, world top-ranked players like Chen Long, Li Xuerui and Wang Yihan also represent their respective home province or municipality in the country's premier sporting event.