PARIS: Akane Yamaguchi beat former world number one Chen Yufei of China 21-9, 21-13 on Sunday to win the women’s singles badminton world championship final.
The Japanese fifth seed rarely looked troubled on court in Paris and needed just 37 minutes to add a third world title to her gold medals from 2021 and 2022.
“I felt the chance to win was very slim (before the tournament). Coming into it as the underdog, winning despite not having results this year, I think that gives it a different kind of value,” Yamaguchi said of her 2025 win.
While she said she was “delighted” by the victory, Yamaguchi spared a thought for her injured opponent.
“Chen Yufei got injured yesterday (Saturday), so it wasn’t easy. I hadn’t anticipated it, but I suppose this kind of score difference was inevitable given her condition.”
Chen, a Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist, battled past top seed and reigning champion An Se-young of South Korea in a semi-final win marked by a nasty-looking ankle twist early in the second game.
The 27-year-old received treatment on the court Saturday and went immediately to have her ankle examined after the match.
In Sunday’s final, Chen appeared hampered in her movement and Yamaguchi took full advantage in the opening game.
“I think there were moments she (Chen) couldn’t react, so I did hit a bit more aggressively,” admitted Yamaguchi.
The fourth seed dug in to stay with Yamaguchi in the second game until the 28-year-old pulled away after the interval to condemn Chen to a second world silver medal.
“It’s still quite swollen,” Chen said of her ankle.
“Since last night I’ve been undergoing treatment, icing it and so forth. Before taking to the stage just now (to receive her medal), I’d already taken eight painkillers.
“I believe it’s about respecting myself and respecting my opponents. Though there are (injury) issues, I feel I can still walk and stand on this court. So I want to keep fighting for it,” added Chen, who lost her previous world final to Yamaguchi in Tokyo three years ago.
AFP
AloJapan.com