- First European to win two World Championships singles gold medals
- Silver for Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter-Juhl
Reigning champion and world No. 1 Marin enjoyed a successful title defence as she charged to a 21-16, 21-19 win over India’s Saina Nehwal to take home her second consecutive gold medal at World Championships. The Spaniard was full of confidence in the first game, pumping her fist and screaming in triumph. But the Indian shuttler came back early in the second game to take an 11-8 lead before Marin responded with seven straight points to put Nehwal back on the defensive.
It was a close encounter then when the score was at 18-18 but the European Champion proved too strong for Nehwal, the first Indian to reach a World Championship final. The Spaniard burst into tears and collapsed on the court as Nehwal’s final shot sailed out, delivering Marin the title she was not sure she would ever defend.
She nearly missed the World Championships in Jakarta entirely after suffering a foot injury just a month ago, and had refused to speculate about her chances of retaining her crown.
"I didn't think I would be here when I was struggling with my injuries but my coaches said I should keep training and try to play at the World Championships and just do the best I could in the tournament," Marin said.
"I knew from the beginning it was going to be a very tough match because Saina is really good but I kept fighting until the end and am very happy with my performance today."
“This time was more difficult than the first time,” she said.
Congratulations, Carolina for winning the gold medal!
Pedersen/Rytter-Juhl had to settle with silver
In the women's doubles event Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl of Denmark lost to Zhao Yunlei and Tian Qing of China in three games 23-25, 21-8, 21-15.
“Disappointed but still VERY VERY HAPPY - Silver medalist at World Championships 2015! Thank you everyone for the support!! Amazing to feel so many fans behind us! Thanks!!” – the Danish pair wrote on their official Facebook page.
Congratulations to the silver medal, Christinna and Kamilla!
China's title holder Chen Long claimed a second straight world title with a impressive 21-14 21-17 victory against Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei. Earlier, top seeds Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei stormed to a third mixed doubles world title with a comfortable 21-17 21-11 victory over compatriots and former junior world champions Liu Cheng and Bao Yixin.
But also the enthusiastic home crowd was somehow rewarded as Indonesia's Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan won back the men's doubles title they won in 2013 with a straight 21-17 21-14 victory over China's Liu Xiaolong and Qiu Zihan in the last match of the day.
Click here for the finals results.
Article by Manuel Rösler. All photos by BadmintonPhoto.