Doubles specialist Kim Ki Jung of Korea and Tai Tzu Ying, representing Chinese Taipei, both copped two medals as the 12th World University Badminton Championship (WUBC) concluded yesterday.

For Kim it a doubly golden finale as he partnered Lee Yong Dae to victory over Chinese Taipei’s pair, Chen Chung-Jen and Lin Yen-Jui, 21-18 21-16 in Men’s Doubles and then teamed up with Kim So Young to take the Mixed Doubles crown.

Playing before home fans in Gwangju, the Koreans came from a game down to defeat compatriots Kang Ji Wook and Kim Chan Mi, 20-22 21-19 21-17.

Meanwhile, Tai – who has impressed on the international badminton circuit – added to her credentials, with a silver medal in Women’s Doubles and later the Women’s Singles gold.

Ironically, she and Pai Hsiao-Ma were runners-up to Japan’s Miri Ichimaru and Shiho Tanaka (22-20 21-11) before Tai had to face her partner in the singles showdown. Unfortunately, Pai had to retire after injuring herself in the first game which she lost, 21-13, giving her Taiwanese team-mate the victory. Kim Su-youn of Korea and Japan’s Haruko Suzuki won bronze.

The Men’s Singles title went to No. 2 seed Wen Kai of China who upstaged top seed, Pablo Abian of Spain. The winner seized the lead from the outset and never relinquished it, romping to a comfortable 21-16 21-8 triumph. The Chinese shuttler’s performance was marked by amazing speed and control as he dictated proceedings in the 32-minute rout.

Lee Dong-keun (Korea) and Ernesto Velazquez (Spain) shared the bronze.

12th World University Badminton Championship

MEDALLISTS

Women’s Doubles

N.B. Tai Tzu Ying (second left) and Pai Hsiao-Ma (left)

won gold and silver in Women’s Singles

Men’s Singles

Men’s Doubles

Mixed Doubles

Text by Gayle Alleyne