The Koreans had come with high hopes of ending the reign of the Chinese in the World Junior Mixed Team Championships but instead showed that they are still the masters of the game.
China won the Suhandinata Cup for the 13th time with a 3-1 win over South Korea in the final played in Markham, Canada on Saturday. This was China’s fifth title in a row.
The Chinese showed their might but the Koreans made them slog for the title and even grabbed the first point by winning the men’s doubles through Shin Tae-yang-Wang Chan who downed Di Zijian–Wang Chang 18-21, 21-17, 21-16 in 61 minutes.
Once again it was left to the up and coming women’s singles shuttler Wang Zhiyi to do the “rescue act” as she rallied to beat Park Ga Eun from a game down – registering a 21-23, 21-16, 21-10 victory – to draw China level.
That gave newly crowned Youth Olympics gold medallist Li Shifeng the inspiration in the third match of the tie, the men’s singles. The Chinese put his team in the driving seat with a 21-13, 22-20 win Choi Ji-hoon win and give China a 2-1 lead.
China wrapped up the title through their women’s doubles Liu Xuanxuan-Xia Yuting with a crushing 21-14, 21-15 win over Jang Eun-seo-Lee Jung-hyun in 42 minutes to retain the Suhandinata Cup. Badminton Asia
Mixed Team Final
China beat Korea 3-1
(China first)
Men’s doubles
Di Zijian-Wang Chang lost to Shin Tae-yang-Wang Chan 21-18, 17-21, 16-21
Women’s singles
Wang Zhiyi beat Park Ga-eun 21-23, 21-16, 21-10
Men’s singles
Li Shifeng beat Choi Ji-hoon 21-13, 22-20
Women’s doubles
Liu Xuanxuan-Xia Yuting beat Jang Eun-seo-Lee Jung-hyun 21-14, 21-15
