Lee Chong Wei the bridesmaid again as Chen Long retains his world title
World No 1 from China wins in straight games to deny Malaysian ace chance of finally winning a major
Top seed Chen Long retained his crown at the badminton world championships in Jakarta on Sunday, depriving Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei of a gold medal in the men’s singles for a fourth successive time.
Lee entered the final hungrier than ever for his elusive world crown but could not unsettle the Chinese world number one, who stormed to a 21-14, 21-17 victory in just over an hour.
Chen, who has already won four titles in a stellar season this year, wept and kissed the court as his final triumphant smash sailed home.
His win spelt agony for Lee, who had to settle for his fourth consecutive silver medal.
Barely anything separated the kings of the sport as they sparred at electrifying speed in the first set.
But at 12-all Chen turned up the heat with a series of blistering smashes that left Lee trailing.
After being steamrollered 21-14 the Malaysian put up a brief fight early in the second. But Chen refused to yield, taking seven unanswered points and establishing a comfortable lead.