Chinese superstar Lin Dan took the title for a record fifth time Sunday as his arch-rival and world number one retired with Lin on the brink of victory with the score at 16-21, 21-13, 20-17 in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

The rivalry between the two greats has headlined men's singles for years but Lin has continually gotten the better of Lee in high-profile events, and Sunday's episode adds to the list of world and Olympic finals defeats Lee has suffered at Lin's hands.