China Wins Women's and Man's Singles Final at World Badminton Championships

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, August 04, 2003

China Wins Women's and Man's Singles Final at World Badminton Championships

Fifth seed Xia Xuanze of China, a bronze medallist at the Sydney Olympics, won the world badminton title yesterday, battling past Wong Choong Hann of Malaysia 15-6 13-15 15-6.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Fifth seed Xia Xuanze of China, a bronze medallist at the Sydney Olympics, won the world badminton title yesterday, battling past Wong Choong Hann of Malaysia 15-6 13-15 15-6.

In a thrilling 80-minute final, Xia seemed to be in charge when leading 12-9 in the second set, but Wong fought back bravely to level at 13-13 and then tie the match at 1-1.

It was nip and tuck in the decider until 6-6, but Xia slowly gained control to clinch the title on his second match point.

The two men have met eight times in their careers, with the Chinese player having won all eight.

Earlier, women's singles titleholder Gong Ruina was deposed 11-6 11-3 in the final by Chinese compatriot Zhang Ning.

Gong led 4-0 in the first game but once Zhang found her stride she was generally in control, rounding off a fine week in which her other scalps have included the 1999 world champion Camilla Martin of Denmark.

Seeded second ahead of Gong at four, Zhang, a comparative veteran at 28, was competing in her sixth world championships.

"This was my first time in the final and I had done a lot of preparation that helped me feel very confident before the match," said Zhang.

"I have had to work very hard. As you get older, it's more difficult to play all of the time because of injuries."

In the mixed doubles, Kim Dong-moon/Ra Kyung-minof South Korea beat Zhang Jun/Gao Ling of China 15-7 15-8 to claim the title.

China have ensured the women's doubles title.

And younger pair Wei Yili/Zhao Tingting lost to Gao Ling/Huang Sui 8-15, 11-15.

Playing later is the men's doubles between Danes Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen and Sigit Budiarto/Candra Wijaya of Indonesia.

The world championships are the main qualification event for next year's Athens Olympics. The event was postponed from its original dates in May because of the SARS virus. More than 320 athletes from 44 countries and regions have competed in the week-long event.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Chinese Players Head Hopefully to Birmingham

Chinese Badminton Gains More Confidence from Men's Doubles

Taiwan Ties Mar Japan's China Interests: News Analysis ( 36 Messages)

Shortage of Electric Power, an Ordeal for China's Economy ( 4 Messages)

Using "E-mail" Concerns Chinese Purification & National Dignity? ( 22 Messages)

US, China Co-operate to Fight Taiwan Referendum Plan ( 3 Messages)

60 Chinese Senior Officials to Be Trained in Harvard University ( 3 Messages)