China’s men’s team reclaimed the Thomas Cup title after a six-year gap hours after their women’s team won the Uber Cup, with Indonesia finishing runners-up in both the competitions on May 5.
It was the first time since 2012 when the same nations contested the men’s and women’s finals at badminton’s world team championships and China prevailed on both occasions.
Twelve years after whitewashing South Korea in both events in Wuhan, they were nearly as dominant against Indonesia at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium in Chengdu.
In the men’s competition, world No. 2 Shi Yuqi beat Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 21-17, 21-6 in the opening match.
“I have a lot of responsibility and pressure as captain, but fortunately I made a good start,” said Shi.
Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang capitalised on that start to put China 2-0 ahead with a laboured 21-18, 17-21, 21-17 win against Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto in the doubles.
For Indonesia, Jonatan Christie overcame Li Shifeng 21-16, 15-21, 21-17 to prevent a whitewash but it merely delayed China’s march towards an 11th Thomas Cup title.
He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu combined in a 21-11, 21-15 win over Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana in the second doubles to seal China’s 3-1 victory before being mobbed by euphoric teammates.
China women’s team were even more dominant as they blanked Indonesia 3-0 to win their 16th Uber Cup title earlier in the day.
The Chinese women strung together 24 straight wins, and no loss, through the tournament to run away with the title.
Olympic champion Chen Yufei tamed Gregoria Mariska Tunjung 21-7, 21-16 to give China a head start.
Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan beat Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti and Ribka Sugiarto 21-11, 21-8 to extend their lead before He Bingjiao downed Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo 10-21, 21-15, 21-17 to secure China's title.
“During the last three years we experienced failures, and I’m happy that we could regain the title,” said He.
"Last time it was a shame that we couldn't win the Uber Cup, so over the last two years we were always ready, and we were playing at home." REUTERS
