China cemented its dominance in global badminton by securing a record 14th Sudirman Cup title on Sunday, defeating the Republic of Korea (ROK) 3-1 in a gripping final hosted in Xiamen. The victory marks China’s fourth consecutive win in the prestigious mixed-team championship, further solidifying its reputation as a powerhouse in the sport.
Mixed Doubles Sets the Stage
The Chinese duo Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping ignited home crowds with a resilient performance against ROK’s Seo Seung-jae and Chae Yu-jung. After splitting the first two games (21-16, 17-21), the pair clinched the deciding third game 21-15, giving China an early advantage.
ROK Strikes Back
World No. 1 An Se-young briefly leveled the score for the ROK, overpowering China’s Wang Zhiyi 21-17, 21-16 in women’s singles. However, the comeback effort was short-lived.
Decisive Momentum Shift
Shi Yuqi delivered a dominant 21-5, 21-5 rout against Jeon Hyeok-jin in men’s singles, putting China back in control. Olympic silver medalists Tan Ning and Liu Shengshu sealed the championship with a commanding 21-14, 21-17 victory over ROK’s Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee in women’s doubles.
The win underscores China’s sustained excellence in team badminton and adds to its growing legacy ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
