Lee Yong Dae

Lee Yong Dae is one of the greatest doubles players in badminton history. At just 20, he became the youngest Olympic mixed doubles champion in Beijing 2008, alongside Lee Hyo-jung.

Achievements

World No. 1 in both men's doubles and mixed doubles, he collected three Olympic medals (gold 2008, bronze 2012, bronze 2016) and over 70 international titles across his celebrated partnerships with Jung Jae-sung, Ko Sung-hyun, and Yoo Yeon-seong. World champion in mixed (2014) and men's doubles (2014).

Playing style

A net specialist, Lee Yong Dae is renowned for exceptional anticipation and a short serve of near-perfect precision. His forward stance and reaction speed on high counters became a reference in modern men's doubles coaching. His racket touch and ability to break the opponent's rhythm in two or three strikes defined the Korean offensive doubles style.

Legacy

After retiring from the international circuit in 2016, Lee Yong Dae popularised an approach grounded in reading the game over brute power. His net technique — studied on video in Asian training centres — remains a model for developing players.

Browse his best doubles matches on BadmintonPeak and break down his net advantage-taking with AI tactical analysis.