Shi Yu Qi completed his epic first summit of the BWF World Championships after willing his weary body and mind to a fourth three-game victory in four days.
Having beaten Christo Popov, Weng Hong Yang and Victor Lai in three games on previous days, Shi’s ability to last another long match against the steady Kunlavut Vitidsarn was under test. Yesterday, after surviving two match points against Lai, the top seed looked far too gone physically, for he was breathing heavily long after the match was done.
And when defending champion Vitidsarn stole the first game from his grasp with immaculate net play, Shi’s chances didn’t appear very bright.
Yet, the top seed showed great reserves of physical and mental toughness as he started to make the play, using his pinpoint smashes from the deep to crack Vitidsarn’s defences. Even a flurry of errors early in the third game couldn’t deflate him, and despite a late charge from Vitidsarn, Shi continued to push the pace and complete his conquest of his first world title.
Shi’s was the second title of the day for China, after Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning had outplayed gritty Malaysians Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan in three games.
Credits of article and pictures to BWF.TEXT BY DEV SUKUMAR | BADMINTONPHOTO
