You’re the man: China’s Shi Yuqi (left) congratulates new world men’s singles champion Kento Momota of Japan after the prize giving ceremony in the Badminton World Championships in Nanjing on Sunday. — AP
PETALING JAYA: There were highs, lows and adrenalin-pumping actions at the just-concluded World Championships. Without a doubt, Japan stole the show from the once-mighty China. Several pre-tournament favourites slumped while several underdogs stepped up. Except for the mixed doubles, top seeds in four other events failed to live up to their status – making it one of the most unpredictable editions in the series. A 117-shot rally between top-ranked duo of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo of Indonesia and Japan’s Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda in the men’s doubles quarter-finals left spectators in stitches and a leaking roof following a downpour left the organisers red-faced. There were other highlights and downsides too but here are five talking points from the 24th edition of the world meet.
¦ JAPAN UNDERLINED THEIR STATUS AS NEW BADMINTON POWERHOUSE
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