Legend 'Winkboy'Lee Yong-dae BWF'Hall of Fame' will be inductedBWF"Legend of Historic Achievements" to be inducted on the 9th

Dec 03, 2024

요넥스 이용대. Photo courtesy = Korea Federation of Business Badminton

Lee Yong-dae-Lee Hyo-jung, who won the mixed doubles gold medal during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Sports Chosun DB

Korean badminton legend Lee Yong-dae (36, Yonex) has been inducted into the Badminton World Federation (BWF) 'Hall of Fame'.

On the 3rd (Korea time), BWF announced 'Legend' to be named in the 2024 Hall of Fame on its official website, calling out China's Chen Long with Lee Yong-dae.

BWF 'Hall of Fame' is the highest honor for a retired player. It is awarded to athletes or executives who have made outstanding achievements in badminton, and can only be a candidate for the award more than five years after retirement from active duty. The selection committee selects the inductee by evaluating the individual contribution of the candidate who achieved the most important and transformative achievements in badminton history.

In a Hall of Fame announcement statement, BWF won many accolades as one of the best-talented doubles players of all time and captivated fans with its versatility and attractive presence on the courtHe introduced Lee Yong-dae as 'Legend'.

The BWF then evaluated Lee Yong-dae's achievements by achieving the feat of winning 46 Super Series and World Tour titles, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal in mixed doubles at the age of 19.

In particular, Lee Yong-dae's remarkable defense and skill in the net attracted attention with his career leading Korea's men's team gold medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

Prior to the opening of the '2024 BWF Badminton World Tour Final (11-15th)' in Hangzhou, China, BWF will hold a gala dinner show on the 9th and hold a ceremony for Lee Yong-dae and Chen Long to enter the Hall of Fame.

Lee Yong-dae, who is currently active as a playing coach and broadcast entertainer for the business team Yonex, is a legend who left a great mark in the history of Korean badminton as BWF explained. After winning the mixed doubles gold medal with her sister Lee Hyo-jung (43) at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she rose to stardom with a wink ceremony to the broadcast camera.

Lee Yong-dae, who won the gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is performing a wink ceremony. Sports Chosun DB

He also became popular with his outstanding appearance Ulzzang Player, maintaining his world No. 1 ranking for a while even as men's doubles partners such as Jung Jae-sung, Yoo Yeon-seong, and Ko Sung-hyun changed, but retired from the national team after challenging for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Even after retirement, Lee Yong-dae has been working as a leading public relations ambassador for Korean badminton and practicing his love for badminton by training junior players and playing as a player in his team, Yonex.

After Park Joo-bong (2001), Kim Moon-soo (2002), Jung Myung-hee and Jung So-young (2003), Kim Dong-moon, Ra Kyung-min, Gil Young-ah (2009), Ha Tae-kwon (2012), and Soo Soo-hyun (2018), Korea's badminton will produce its 10th 'Hall of Fame'.

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