China grabs badminton team titles
(Xinhua)Updated: 2006-12-06 09:01
China grabbed both the men's and women 's badminton team titles at the 15th Asian Games here on Tuesday.
 Shuttler Bao Chunlai of China celebrates his victory over South Korean players in the men's badminton team finals in the 15th DohaAsian Games December 5,2006.[Xinhua]  |
World champion Lin Dan seemed used up after a heart-stirring battle against Indonesian Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat on Monday. In Tuesday's duel of two left-handers, Lin could not get rid off a gritty Lee Hyun Il, losing the first set 20-22.
Although the 23-year-old world number one shuttler fought back to claim a 21-11 victory in the second set, he failed to turn the table in the rubber set, suffering a loss of 13-21.
"I failed to win the game point in the opening set and I played below bar in the final set," said a depressed Lin.
But then world number one Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng filled the deficit for China by bravely knocking off tough rivals Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung 21-19, 21-14, followed by Asian Games rookie Chen Jin coming from one set down to beat Park Sung Hwan 18-21, 21- 6 and 21-11.
Although Zheng Bo and Guo Zhendong failed to hold back Lee Jae Jin and Hag Ji Man, losing the fourth game 17-21, 21-13, 14-21, an in-form Bao Chunlai smashed Shon Seung Mo 21-9, 21-8.
"I prepared well," said 23-year-old Bao. "I played very confidently."
Before the Chinese male shuttlers' triumph, their female teammates smashed Japanese peers 3-0 to defend Asian Games champion title.
 Shuttler Zhang Ning(L) of China tosses the flowers towards the audiences after winning over Japan in the women's badminton team finals in the 15th Doha Asian Games December 5,2006.[Xinhua] |
Afterwards, Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen, doubles winners at Athens Olympic Games, knocked off Kumiko Ogura and Reiko Shiota 21- 8, 21-15.
Yang and Zhang won the first game with little effort but faced a tough counterattack from Ogura and Shiota in the second game.
"They can always strike back the shot," said Yang, "It's really hard to smash the shuttle on the half court of theirs."
It was the first time that the world number two pair fought in the first doubles game at Doha. In the previous three games, world number one Gao Ling and Huang Sui were the first pair to fight for China.
"I don't exactly know why we are sent on the court as the first doubles in today's final," said Yang. "But I'm sure either Gao and Huang or Zhang and me can win over our opponents."
Two-time world champion Xie Xingfang sealed the victory for China with an effortless win over Eriko Hirose 21-12, 21-15.
"I'm happy for winning my first Asian Games gold medal here," said 25-year-old Xie.
It is China's eighth badminton women's team gold at Asiad.
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