I can Almost categorical confirm this isn't true. In order for this to be the case, he must leave the Chinese National team for another country (since china will not reccomend him for competitions as an independent player from china). Because the china team is sponsored by yonex individual players are signed for yonex as part of a condition of being in the team. His Club team (Bayi Army team) are sponsored by SOTX however, and when he represents them (at national level) he will use there equipment. so it may simply be a translation error or misunderstanding somewhere.
The China National team are sponsored by Yonex (with money, equipment etc) so any player on that team has to use Yonex equipment.. Lin Dans local club/team is sponsored by SOTX, So When Lin dan plays for his national club he gets SOTX stuff. If he also have individual contracts with SOTX and/or Yonex i don't know.. /Twobeer
the picture look like a AT700, yonex pants i'm also sure LD was wearing shb98 and using bg string (with sotx logo)
I think you are wrong about the pants... http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13762&stc=1 gives a clearer view.. /twobeer
hahaha, i do give u guys credit for perseverance legally, i said it looks like LD is using AT700 and yonex pants. I didnt say it was an absolute, while I am more certain about LD's shb98 and yonex string Shirt and pants affect performance the least while having the most visual impact so it wont be an issue for LD. For technical discussion, i wonder where sotx got the design from hmm, LD using the same blue overgrip too
Well black shorts with white side-stripes are hardly that unique design for neither SOTX or Yonex imop. seen quite similar ones from Nike, Adidas, Puma etc. And I do beleive he was using his AT-700 during the nationals! To be honest, I don't think it would make sense for Lin Dan to switch racket for one tournament (even if he felt it performed equal or better than the AT700), if he is obliged to his national-team contract to use the AT700 in the next international tournament anyway. I mean, ha hasn't made the switch to Nano-tech yet either, Like Chen Hong and Bao /Twobeer