BANGKOK: Women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah delivered badminton’s first gold in the SEA Games after beating Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji-Meilysa Puspitasari.
Pearly-Thinaah were pushed hard by the Indonesians but fought their hearts out to prevail 21-16, 19-21, 21-17 in a marathon match lasting 86 minutes at Thammasat University in Pathum Thani on Sunday (Dec 14).
The World Championships silver medallists ended the country’s 10-year wait for the women’s doubles title after Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho last triumphed in 2015 in Singapore.
Pearly-Thinaah, who were competing in their maiden Games, added to their titles this year in the Thailand Open, Arctic Open and Japan Masters.
The world No. 2 duo also finished runners-up in the world meet, Japan Open, Indonesian Open and Indonesian Masters in what has been a fine year.
