South Korea end China’s 12-year grip on badminton’s Sudirman Cup with emotional final fightback
Victory in mixed doubles match seals South Korea’s first triumph in biennial tournament since 2003, having trailed 2-1 to defending champions
South Korea have won badminton’s Sudirman Cup for the first time in 14 years with an emotional 3-2 victory over 10-time champions China at Australia’s Gold Coast on Sunday.
The South Koreans claimed their fourth cup in the world mixed teams competition with a charged 21-17, 21-13 win by Choi Sol-gyu and Chae Yoo-jung in the mixed doubles match.
The victory – their first in the biennial tournament since Eindhoven in 2003 – ended China’s 14-year grip on the Sudirman Cup.
South Korea, who also won the Sudirman Cup in 1991 and 1993, fought back from 2-1 down in the final to claim victory.
Upon winning match point the entire South Korean team descended on Choi and Chae and swamped them in celebration, with Chae eventually climbing off the floor in tears.