Veteran Chong Wei crushes Srikanth to bow out of Games with a gold

GOLD COAST: Malaysia's badminton veteran Lee Chong Wei bowed out from his last Commonwealth Games by bagging the men's singles gold in grand style.

The 35-year-old pulled off an incredible performance to beat world No. 1 K. Srikanth of India 19-21, 21-14, 21-14 in an epic final at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre here.

It was a sweet revenge for Chong Wei after his first career defeat to Srikanth in the mixed team final last week.

It was also Chong Wei's fifth gold medal in three Commonwealth Games. He won a double – singles and team golds at the 2006 Melbourne and 2010 New Delhi series respectively.

And with Chong Wei's win, Malaysian contingent have met their six-gold medal target.

The victory did not come easy for Chong Wei as he had to work hard for every single point.

In the opening game, Srikanth was one notch better in his attacking game – and punished the Malaysian with his big smashes.

The Malaysian pressed on, bringing into the game his wealth of experience and it worked wonders.

A confident Chong Wei came through a nail-biting second game with a sensational 21-14 win and from then on there was no stopping him.

The pumped-up Chong Wei stepped on the gas, pushed the Indian to all corners of the court and outfoxed Srikanth for one of his most memorable wins in his career as the Malaysian camp erupted in joy.

It was his third singles gold at the Commonwealth Games and what a super end to the Games for the old-timer.