Shi downs Kunlavut for world title

Japan's Yamaguchi bags women's crown

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World No.1 Shi Yuqi of China fought from behind to beat Thai reigning champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the men's singles badminton world championship final on Sunday, while Japan's Akane Yamaguchi beat Chen Yufei of China in the women's showpiece.

Shi beat Kunlavut 19-21, 21-10, 21-18 after one hour and 16 minutes on court in Paris to lift his first world championships crown.

The 29-year-old broke his worlds hoodoo the hard way, saving two match points in his semifinal and enduring three-game matches from the third round.

For Kunlavut, it was heartbreak again in the French capital where he claimed silver 12 months on from defeat in the 2024 Olympics final at the same venue.

Despite trailing for most of the first game, Kunlavut surged late on to seize the advantage. Shi handed the Thai the opener by misjudging a lobbed serve which landed inside the line.

Shi set about making amends as he blitzed through the second game to force a decider.