PETALING JAYA: Singles men shuttler Yushi Tanaka led Japan to the Asia Team Championships title for the first time after a superb 3-0 win over hosts China.
World No. 19 Tanaka pulled off an impressive 21-10, 21-18 win over China's 2024 world junior champion Hu Zhean in the first singles at the Qingdao Conson Gymnasium on Sunday (Feb 9).
Buoyed by Tanaka's victory, Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi fought brilliantly to beat He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu 21-17, 14-21, 21-15 in the first doubles in 66 minutes.
Koki Watanabe then sealed the win for Japan by coming from behind to overcome Zhu Xuanchen 22-24, 21-17, 21-18 in an exhausting match lasting 87 minutes.
