BEIJING—Lin Dan of China overpowered Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei in straight sets Sunday to win the gold medal in men’s singles at the Olympic badminton tournament.

Top-seed Lin was in control from the outset and coasted to a 21-12, 21-8 win over the second-seeded Lee to give China its third gold medal in badminton.

“I think tonight’s match was one of the best I’ve played in my career,” said Lin. “Before the games, I had many sleepless nights. Now I can sleep well.”

Lin took an 11-1 lead in the second game with Lee’s only point coming on an unforced error by Lin.

Lee was bidding for Malaysia’s first gold medal in the Olympics but was no match for Lin, who won the match with a smash down the line that Lee returned into the net.

After he won, Lin embraced coach Li Yongbo. He then took off his shoes and threw them into the crowd.

Lin, nicknamed “Super Dan,” was top-seed in Athens four years ago but lost in the first round. He didn’t lose a single game in his five matches here and kept his notorious temper in check.

China also won three out of five gold medals at the 2004 Athens Games. Zhang Ning won women’s singles and Du Jing and Yu Yang won gold in women’s doubles.

Lee beat Lin at the Thomas Cup in May and last year at the Japan Open, but Sunday’s final between badminton’s two top men’s players was a mismatch.

“Lin Dan played very well and there was no chance for him to lose tonight,” said Lee.

The only disappointment for Lin was that his girlfriend Xie Xingfang failed to win gold. Xie had to settle for silver after losing to Zhang in the women’s final.

Lin wore a small golden pin on his uniform bearing a likeness of Chairman Mao Zedong, the founder of communist China.