China's Lin Dan awarded World Championship wildcard

Lin's sporadic appearances since defending his Olympic title at last year's London Games have seen his world ranking plummet to a lowly 41, making the 29-year-old ineligible for a direct qualification.

However, the BWF Committee of Management voted unanimously to award him the only men's singles wildcard for the August 5-11 event in his homeland.

"Exercising its prerogative to nominate a wildcard entry in each category, the COM determined the 29-year-old's stature and fan appeal would significantly enhance the championships," the Badminton World Federation said .

"His wildcard berth will likely reignite prospects of a possible rekindling of the rivalry between him and his Malaysian arch-rival, Lee Chong Wei."