Akane Yamaguchi of Japan. - Reuters
PETALING JAYA: Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi capitalised on an injury-hit Chen Yufei to deny the Chinese star bid for a maiden world title with a commanding win in the World Championships final in Paris on Sunday (Aug 31).
It was a repeat of the 2022 final in Tokyo, and Yufei once again looked out of answers.
Still hampered by a foot injury sustained during her semi-final clash against South Korea’s An Se-young a day earlier, she could not keep up with Yamaguchi’s pace and precision.
The Japanese ace wrapped up the contest in just 37 minutes at the Adidas Arena with a 21-9, 21-13 victory, leaving Yufei once again heartbroken on the biggest stage.
It is Yamaguchi's third world title after 2021 Huelva and 2022 Tokyo editions.
Bronze was shared by Se-young and Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani after both fell in the semi-finals.
