Lin Dan has won the most BWF World Championships men's singles titles in badminton, with five championships.
The Chinese left-hander won his first world title in 2006 and successfully defended it in 2007. He later won again in 2009, 2011 and 2013, becoming the first men's singles player to collect five world crowns. His 2011 and 2013 victories made him the first player to win the event in consecutive editions twice.
Lin Dan is sometimes confused with Lee Chong Wei, his principal rival, because their careers overlapped for more than a decade. Lee reached several world and Olympic finals but never won the World Championships. Lin also won Olympic singles gold in 2008 and 2012, adding to his reputation as one of badminton's greatest players.