Rasmussen, Ye win world badminton singles titles

JAKARTA (JP): Denmark's Peter Rasmussen won the men's singles gold medal yesterday at the badminton World Championship, 16-17, 18-13, 15-10, after China's Sun Jun strained his left foot.

In the all-Chinese women's singles finals, top-seeded Ye Zhaoying retained her title by beating second-seeded Gong Zhichao 12-11, 11-8.

As Sun's forehand hit the net, Rasmussen raised his hands and received a standing ovation from spectators after his two-hour- and-three-minute battle.

The 22-year-old Rasmussen, who defeated defending champion Heriyanto Arbi of Indonesia in the semifinals, pulled out all stops in vain against Sun in the first game, aired by RCTI, losing 16-17.

In the second game, Sun, who defeated Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen 15-10, 9-15, 15-5 Saturday, led 12-6 before straining his foot and losing the game 13-18.

With a bandaged left foot, the 22-year-old Sun took the lead 10-3 in the decider before his injury worsened, reducing his mobility around the court. The 15th-seeded Rasmussen emerged victorious 15-10.

Hoyer-Larsen and Heriyanto shared the bronzes.

Ye, who beat compatriot Wang Chen in Saturday's semifinals, kissed the court as Gong's return hit the net.

She had to play hard to overcome Gong 12-11 in the first game with lobs, dropshots and smashes.

Gong tired in the second game making Ye's job to conclude the match 11-8 much easier.

It was Ye's second big title this year after winning the All- England championships women's singles title in March.

In the All-Chinese women's doubles finals, Olympic gold medalists and All-England winners Ge Fei/Gu Jun had no problem defeating fifth-seeded Tang Yongshu/Qin Yiyuan.

Top-seeded Ge/Gu, who beat Qian Hong/Liu Lu 15-3, 15-3 in the semifinals, led 9-0 before Tang/Qin, who crashed Indonesia's Eliza/Zelin Resiana Saturday, had a chance to serve. But the juniors failed to use the chance and lost 1-15.

In the second game, the two juniors gave Ge/Gu a surprisingly hard time. But the world number one pair were too strong for Tang/Qin, winning 15-8.

Indonesia's only hope Chandra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto, top- seeded men's doubles in the championship, were due to play second-seeded Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock of Malaysia late yesterday.

Chandra/Sigit cruised to the finals after eliminating South Korea's Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong-sung 15-11, 15-11 in the semifinals while the Olympic silver medalists Cheah/Yap overcame Olympic gold medalists Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky 15-9, 15-2, 15-12.

Chinese mixed doubles Ge Fei/Liu Yong, fourth-seeded in the championship, won gold after beating third-seeded Jens Eriksen/Marlene Thomsen of Denmark in a three tight games 15-5, 16-17, 15-4 Saturday.

China won three titles and Denmark won one at the championship.

Last week, China also retained the Sudirman Cup world team championships. (yan)