Two-time Olympic Games gold medallist and former men's singles world champion Lin Dan is the standout figure on the entry list for the New Zealand Badminton Open in May.
Dan, who won golds at both the Beijing and London Olympics, and the 2011 world championship, is badminton royalty and having finished runnerup at this year's All England Open last month, should be in strong form for the Barfoot and Thompson-sponsored event at the North Shore Events Centre.
Three players on the list are ranked inside the world top 15. Just one New Zealand player, Abhinav Manota of North Harbour, has made the singles main draw, courtesy of a wildcard entry.
All eight of the women's singles seeds are ranked inside the world top 50. One New Zealander, Sally Fu, is in the main draw.
''The depth of quality is wonderful but to have such a headline act as Lin Dan is incredible. He is an absolute superstar,'' tournament director Julie Carrel said.
