BWF World Câships, Finals as it happened: Loh Kean Yew bags historic gold, Srikanth wins silver
Highlights from Day 8 of the badminton World Championships.
![BWF World Câships, Finals as it happened: Loh Kean Yew bags historic gold, Srikanth wins silver](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/article/167733-wonuocbzpp-1639919989.jpeg)
Happy to be in final of World Câships, worked really hard for it: Srikanth after historic silver
BWF World Championships: In Lakshya Senâs present, we can see a bright future
Summary:
- Tai Tzu Yingâs wait continues as Akane Yamaguchi wins the womenâs singles final
- Srikanth Kidambi goes down fighting against Loh Kean Yew in menâs singles final.
10.20 pm: And thatâs a wrap on the international badminton season. It was hectic to put it mildly, but filled with fantastic storylines from Tokyo to Europe to Bali to Huelva. 2022 promises to be another busy, massive year. India will be at the center of it nice and early. Thanks for joining us through this week, stay tuned for more badminton coverage on our site.
Malaysia-born Loh was in disbelief after becoming the first player from his country to win a world championship title.Â
âI cannot believe it. I mean, at the start of the year I didnât think it will happen. Now I can tell you I am finally happy, I donât have to focus on the match tomorrow,â said the world number 22.
Sharing his game plan for the final, Loh said: âHe (Srikanth) is such a good attacking player, I knew it is not going to be easy to defend his shots. So I needed to be prepared for his defence and not let him attack much.
âIt didnât work well at the start and I had to pick up the pace and take initiative at the front.â
âIt wasnât easy to balance between being patient and aggressive. I wanted to win, but it was not easy to stay calm, but I managed to do it well in the end and it worked out well.â
âI know I am not an underdog anymore. I need to think of how to manage things, I can only do it by playing competitions, winning or losing I can only learn from it. So I hope I can withstand the pressure.âÂ
— via PTI
Srikanth refers to his heartbreaking defeat against Momota in French Open as a turning point: âFrom Paris... I started playing really well. The match against Momota was a crucial one, it really gave me huge confidence. Iâd have been happier if I converted that win too, similar scenario today.â
#Huelva2021 đ¸ #BWFWorldChampionships
— The Field (@thefield_in) December 19, 2021
A fantastic performance by Loh Kean Yew. A fantastic week for @srikidambi too
đĽ Final highlights via BWF pic.twitter.com/PtzFmNLXFb
Srikanthâs reaction (via BWF Mixed Zone)
Emotions right now:Â
Definitely it has been a great week, even today I had my chances in both the sets. In the first set I had a healthy lead, in the second set I had a 18-16 cushion. But yeah, I just wasnât able to finish off the match today. Credits to him, he played really well. Lot of things to learn from this and I will definitely try to get better.Â
Frustration with the errors:Â
Going into this match, I wanted to very positive. Try to avoid mistakes. Sometimes, it happens. One has to win and one has to lose. Couldnât really do much, I tried to stay in the match throughout. It really worked in the second set, but important to finish things off. Something that I will work on.Â
How different is Kean Yew now since last meeting:Â
Well, we played four years back or something [three years back at the CWG 2018]. A lot can happen in such a long time. Heâs improved his game, matured as a player, physical strength... heâs been playing exceptionally well last few months. Playing really well.Â
Coming late to the tournament and whether he exceeded expectations:Â
I didnât know if I will able to come here till last Thursday. Got to know Thursday around 5-6 pm, that I got my visa. Until I wasnât sure. So yeah, just happy to be able play this tournament and it has been a great week for me, I was able to play really well throughout. Wouldâve loved to win even today, but will definitely try and get better.Â
Looking back at 2021:Â
Few tournaments I played really well, few tournaments I couldnât play. Again, at a such big event, to be in the final and get this opportunity at the World Championships to win silver... something that I worked really hard for. Iâll just try and continue to work hard, itâs a process. Lot of tournaments next year with Asian Games, CWG, another Worlds. Big year... will try and learn from this experience and work on it.Â
Message to fans:Â
Definitely would like to thank everyone back home. They have been wonderful, theyâve supporting me throughout the week. Iâve been getting a lot of good wishes. Just very happy for that.Â
All the feels đĽşâ¤ď¸#BWFWorldChampionships2021#Badminton pic.twitter.com/J786kjCLpO
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) December 19, 2021
#Huelva2021 đ¸ #BWFWorldChampionships
— The Field (@thefield_in) December 19, 2021
Men's singles:
đĽ Singapore đ¸đŹ
đĽ India đŽđł
đĽ Denmark đŠđ°
đĽ India đŽđł
For the first time a Singaporean wins gold. â
For the first time an Indian MS player wins silver. â
For the first time two Indian men on the podium. â pic.twitter.com/iZHC3fnLNe
More Srikanth reaction coming up shortly: Wasnât sure till [last week] Thursday if I will come to the tournament [visa], happy to play really well. Itâs been a great week, worked really hard for this. Iâd have loved to win today as well. But Iâll definitely work hard and get better, big year 2022
#BWC2021 #Huelva2021 - Menâs Singles Podium
— Badminton Talk (@BadmintonTalk) December 19, 2021
đĽLoh Kean Yew (SGP)
đĽSrikanth Kidambi (IND)
đĽAnders Antonsen (DEN)
đĽLakshya Sen (IND) pic.twitter.com/XBvya14TtL
Two medals from a kind draw. Kidambi Srikanth rediscovering himself. Lakshya Sen showing where he could go from here. #Huelva2021 #BWC2021 pic.twitter.com/k722BDI81t
— Susan Ninan (@ninansusan) December 19, 2021
Menâs singles: Singapore, India, Denmark, India.
What a podium at the 2021 World Championships. Doubt weâd see anything like this ever again.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/qhszafowzh-1639925796.png)
Indian badminton fans can hope Srikanth builds on these last two months or so. Areas to improve as heâd readily agree, but the basic level is significantly better than anything that we have seen him from last two years. Just good to see him back playing the way he can.
#Huelva2021
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 19, 2021
Didn't want to say this before the match ended today. I think it is safe to say, Srikanth is back. First man from India to win a silver medal at the World Championships. Forget the draw & all that, the way he played (his net game!)... good to see. So good to see. https://t.co/eMfqrVqvke
Great fight, and wud have loved a decider there, but just gotta take ur hat off to the new World Champion, Loh Kean Yew!
— Kapil Choudhary (@kapil857) December 19, 2021
Incredible story!!! pic.twitter.com/HGM7p3fooY
Historical moment for đ¸đŹ ! Loh Kean Has been sensational in the past week and deserves the be the new world champion. Chin up @srikidambi youâve proven the youâre the greatest ever MS đŽđł and Iâm sure there is more to come !
— Shlok Ramchandran (@shlokh95) December 19, 2021
đĽ đđđđđ LAST đđđđđ... of #Huelva2021 đĽ
— Huelva2021WC (@Huelva2021WC) December 19, 2021
đĽ @reallohkeanyew
đĽ @srikidambi
â https://t.co/5xLY8U6zWT pic.twitter.com/QW1kKBW7Mg
Remember meeting Loh Kean Yew at the Hyderabad Open a couple of years ago. Very jovial and chirpy guy. Genuinely happy for him. #BWFWorldChampionships2021 #Huelva2021
— Jaideep Vaidya (@jaideepjourno) December 19, 2021
#Badminton #Huelva2021 #BWFWorldChampionships2021
— Abhijeet Kulkarni (@abk6580) December 19, 2021
What a tournament this has been for Loh Kean Yew. The only game he lost in this championship was the opener against Olympic Champion Viktor Axelsen. And then won six games without conceding more than 9 points. pic.twitter.com/2IPYlGiHgS
A star is born. Unseeded, undefeated.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 19, 2021
After a final of really high quality against Srikanth (he is back), the Singaporean wins his country's first Worlds gold. Starts the tournament by defeating the current world No 1, finishes by defeating the former world No 1#Huelva2021 pic.twitter.com/Jfdqc38gT7
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 20-22 Loh Kean Yew: A backhand lands in and the Singaporean makes history. WHAT A MATCH.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/cyeesncozw-1639924742.png)
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 20-21 Loh Kean Yew: OH DEAR! Srikanth misses a kill shot with the backhand.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 20-20 Loh Kean Yew: Sri saves two match points. the second with a stunning point. Delightful net play. WOW. BRILLIANCE.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 18-20 Loh Kean Yew: Stunning defence from Loh, Sri thought he must have hit three winners at least, but nets one. Match points.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 18-19 Loh Kean Yew: Searing smash from Loh! He is close.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 18-18 Loh Kean Yew: Oh frustration for Sri after a series of good pints. Misses a net shot, a simple forehand. And next up, Loh lets out a roar as a smash goes wide. HUGE MISS
Ashish Magotra: Stunning 49-shot rally that one.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 16-14 Loh Kean Yew: REMEMBER THIS POINT!!! BEST RALLY OF THE DAY! PERHAPS THE TOURNAMENT! Stunning defence from Loh, absolute magic at the net from Sri to close it.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 15-14 Loh Kean Yew: Srikanth controls a point well and still couldnât finish it despite Loh on the backfoot. Another small error from Loh next point... he is pumped, he is trying to push himself every point and that is a sign he knows this is crucial. From 14-14, Loh misses a forehand he hasnât all tournament.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 11-12 Loh Kean Yew: Srikanth stops the rut for now, with a powerful smash and a nice follow up. Loh sends a crosscourt at the net wide.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 9-11 Loh Kean Yew: At 9-7 to Srikanth, Frost said this lead feels different than the first game because here Srikanth has earned it with his gameplay. But from there, Loh puts together a run of five straight points.
Loh Kean Yew is flying. This was not even a normal dive we see a lot on court. He just planted both his feet and took off. #BWC2021 #Huelva2021 pic.twitter.com/LcTwxp5H3l
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 19, 2021
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 7-5 Loh Kean Yew: Another avoidable error, as Sri tries a cute forehand spinning shot and sends it just wide. Gets the serve back with a super straight smash.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 5-4 Loh Kean Yew: Plan B or not, Srikanth absolutely canât afford errors or misjudgements. Morten Frost reckons Srikanth is doing âsome clever thingsâ, âbringing some menâs doublesâ into this. Flatter exchanges. Of course, Sri started off with doubles.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21, 3-2 Loh Kean Yew: Can Srikanth come up with a plan B? Is there a Plan B at the moment against LohKY? A little early lead for the Indian after a superb rally.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-21 Loh Kean Yew: From 13-13, Clark Kent became Superman. The defence is working brilliantly, his touch at the net is phenomenal and Srikanth unable to keep up with the pace.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/qcoqbjpdqc-1639923175.png)
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 15-19 Loh Kean Yew: He needed about three-four winners to win one point but Srikanth gets the serve back to try and make a late comeback.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 13-17 Loh Kean Yew: And it is all #LohKYMadness now. The Singaporean is showing off his superman skills, diving forward in defence and then up in a flash to kill off points... he is all over the court at the moment
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 12-11 Loh Kean Yew: Superb forehand block from Loh for two straight points after the break. Morten Frost thinks, with both players preferring the net game, someone woll have to start make the move forward and start killing rallies. âClose the net down for the opponentâ and it is Loh who is doing that now. HE levels things up but Sri has the serve back.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 11-7 Loh Kean Yew: Stunning net play from both players and it is a superb fightback from Loh. Srikanth however puts together a wonderful rally to go into the interval with a 4-point lead.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/jkknfppcdf-1639922614.png)
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 9-3 Loh Kean Yew: Drops and spinning shots and slives... drawing Loh forward... it is all working at the moment for Srikanth. EIGHT STRAIGHT POINTS.
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi 3-3 Loh Kean Yew: Here we go! Lovely deception at the net followed by a nice follow up to kill a rally and we are off to an even start.
That is an incredible stat for Loh Kean Yew from Gillian Clarke.
— Kapil Choudhary (@kapil857) December 19, 2021
Only the 3rd ever unseeded MS #BWFWorldChampionships finalist...
The other two - Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei!!! đłđł
#LohKY madness. pic.twitter.com/Pjq0jkt0E1
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 18, 2021
#Huelva2021 #BWFWorldChampionships
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) December 19, 2021
The 12th seed Srikanth against the unseeded 'superman' Loh. It doesn't happen often but, for me, the seeded player is the underdog in this one. Their paths to the final. pic.twitter.com/3mlXtQetXl
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi vs Loh Kean Yew: On paper, Loh Kean Yew has to start as the favourite (just look at the scorelines below) but if Srikanth can take some inspiration from Antonsenâs first game against the Singaporean and come up with his top net game, one can hope. Antonsen couldnât quite make the most of the hint of nerves that Loh showed. Srikanth must.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/nvzmrmyncw-1639921778.png)
Menâs singles final, [12] Srikanth Kidambi vs Loh Kean Yew: And so we move on to the menâs singles final. Anders Antonsen said last night that Loh Kean Yew is playing like Superman in Huelva.
No Indian male shuttler has ever reached the final of the World Câships.
No Singaporean shuttler has ever reached the final of the World Câships.
Already gone further than anyone has before them, who will make history tonight: Srikanth or Loh Kean Yew?
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/mpymablpje-1639921314.png)
Menâs doubles: Hoki/Kobayashi make history, the first Japanese menâs doubles pair to win gold at the Worlds. Stunning recent form.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/iipihrorph-1639920737.png)
Srikanth & Loh Kean Yewâs paths to the final
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/ljmjmkbmtf-1639920454.png)
![Courtesy: Tournament Software](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/hpavawcrrd-1639920461.png)
-It was #SrikanthKidambi who etched his name in the history books by becoming the first Indian man to reach the finals of the #BWFWorldChampionships2021 with a come-from-behind win over compatriot.https://t.co/p0IxTfpyrV Via @thefield_in
— scroll.in (@scroll_in) December 19, 2021
Top seeds Chen/Jia đ¨đł and Lee/Shin đ°đˇ leave nothing to be desired in an fantastic finals match.#BWFWorldChampionships #Huelva2021 pic.twitter.com/Ey7Erw9bhK
— BWF (@bwfmedia) December 19, 2021
Menâs doubles final: Hoki and Kobayashi racing through this, as one would expect.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/vzfzvsbbrn-1639919419.png)
#Huelva2021 đ¸
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) December 19, 2021
For many, the tournament will have an asterisk but that shouldnât matter to the young Lakshya Sen, who seems to have really come to terms with the senior circuit in the last few months. He had an opportunity and he took it.https://t.co/ihMcBNNGZ3
Menâs doubles final: Menâs doubles final to come... still no three-game matches today. If Hoki and Kobayashi play like they have been in recent times, it is likely to continue here. Srikanth vs Loh next after this.
#BWC2021 #Huelva2021 - Women's Doubles Podium
— Badminton Talk (@BadmintonTalk) December 19, 2021
đĽChen Qingchen/Jia Yifan (CHN)
đĽLee So Hee/Shin Seung Chan (KOR)
đĽKim So Yeong/Kong Hee Yong (KOR)
đĽMayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara (JPN) pic.twitter.com/nyuLpTV2cL
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/jrbtoavqvt-1639918294.png)
Everyone keeps saying Lakshya Sen is the future. But if one takes his performance against Kidmabi Srikanth in the semi-finals of the #BWFWorldChampionships as evidence then, he has proved that he is the present too, writes @clutchplay | via @thefield_in https://t.co/HmGMMq1Z8p
— scroll.in (@scroll_in) December 19, 2021
Womenâs doubles final: Womenâs doubles has been Chinaâs stronghold historically at the Worlds but they are now back on top of the podium after four years (all Japan finals last two times). It is once again Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan.
Womenâs doubles final: Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan clinch their second title at the event. Silver in Tokyo, gold in Huelva. A 63-minute straight-games result should tell you how close that was.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/smqvklulhk-1639917264.png)
#Huelva2021 đ¸ #BWFWorldChampionships
— The Field (@thefield_in) December 19, 2021
Akane Yamaguchi brought her A game to the final as Tai Tzu Ying's wait for a World Championships gold continues.
đĽ Highlights via BWFpic.twitter.com/uDX43fKMRl
#Huelva2021 đ¸ #BWFWorldChampionships
— The Field (@thefield_in) December 19, 2021
Akane Yamaguchi brought her A game to the final as Tai Tzu Ying's wait for a World Championships gold continues.
đĽ Highlights via BWFpic.twitter.com/uDX43fKMRl
WD FINAL
— Badminton Talk (@BadmintonTalk) December 19, 2021
Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan (CHN/1) vs Lee So Hee/Shin Seung Chan (KOR/2)
21-16 0-0#BWC2021 #Huelva2021 #BWFWorldChampionships2021
Womenâs doubles final: Another No 1 and No 2 battle coming up.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/hdsrbtnoqc-1639913125.png)
#BWC2021 #Huelva2021 - Women's Singles Podium
— Badminton Talk (@BadmintonTalk) December 19, 2021
đĽAkane Yamaguchi (JPN)
đĽTai Tzu Ying (TPE)
đĽHe Bingjiao (CHN)
đĽZhang Yiman (CHN) pic.twitter.com/yF25l3XAND
Womenâs singles podium: Akane Yamaguchi & Nozomi Okuhara are both World Champions now. PV Sindhu is a world champ. Carolina Marin is a three-time world champ. Ratchanok Intanon is a world champ. One can only hope Tai Tzu Ying gives herself a chance to be added to that list. She is all smiles with a silver for now.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/pfuspxyxtm-1639912882.png)
Mantap sis!#BWC2021 #Huelva2021 #BWFWorldChampionships2021 pic.twitter.com/5F7bUWQX8O
— Badminton Talk (@BadmintonTalk) December 19, 2021
Akane Yamaguchi, world champion! What a run for her after the Olympics. Relentlessly brilliant.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 19, 2021
And Tai Tzu Ying adds a Worlds silver to her Olympics silver. Finall two Major medals, but not the colours she wanted. Sincerely hope she carries on.#BWC2021 #Huelva2021 pic.twitter.com/Gw5vXAJ7M0
Gooch after finding a cure against cancer, covid, malaria & alzheimer. Stopping all wars, and feeds the entire world ⌠oh and by the way wins the #WS #WorldChampionship #YouKnowItsSeriousWhenTheIntrovertsArrive #Badminton #HatsOff #Played13Weeks pic.twitter.com/uGcgVRkUgP
— Steen Schleicher (@steenschleicher) December 19, 2021
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 14-21, 11-21 Akane Yamaguchi: AKANE YAMAGUCHI WORLD CHAMPION! Just a small smile and a thumbs up. âThatâs all you are going to get from her!â The wait continues for TTY.
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 14-21, 11-20 Akane Yamaguchi: Match points Akane! TTY misses a simple kill.
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 14-21, 10-19 Akane Yamaguchi: Some stunning drop shots from Akane at the moment! This is all but done.
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 14-21, 10-17 Akane Yamaguchi: TTY is missing basic backhands at the moment and is not moving as well as she can. Nerves? Focus? Wow, huge deficit now.
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 14-21, 9-11 Akane Yamaguchi: AY ups the pace and in a rare moment of controlled aggression, kills off a good point to take a handy lead into the interval.
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 14-21, 9-9 Akane Yamaguchi: Akane is just reacting at the moment. It is either winners or errors from TTY. As we say that, AY sends a punch wide after a pacy rally.
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 14-21, 7-7 Akane Yamaguchi: And now three big errors on the trot from TTY.
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 14-21, 7-4 Akane Yamaguchi: Tai Tzu Yingâs drop shots are perhaps the money shots for her. The thing is, to beat Akane Yamaguchi with a drop shot is so difficult. No one arguably lunges forward better in the game than Akane. She does it so well, so often. And as we say that, TTY is putting together a masterful run of points. A combination of spinning shots and crosscourt winners. Six straight points.
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 14-21 Akane Yamaguchi: Akane Yamaguchi plays a wonderful game to take the opener 21-14. TTY played some lovely shots but making errors too, thatâs part of her high risk game. But worryingly, looks a bit static. And she asks for a scissor to loosen her strapping in the hamstring.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/vixujpfkmi-1639910687.png)
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 14-20 Akane Yamaguchi: A Sindhu reference on commentary as Gill Clark speaks about how the Indian used the attacking clears to great effect to win in Basel. Akane is doing that here. Game points galore.
Morten Frost on air: âCan you imagine if Carolina Marin was playing this final at the Carolina Marin stadium?â
That would have been so awesome.
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 13-15 Akane Yamaguchi: A run of six points from the last 7 from Akane and then she misses a smash! Rare show of emotion there. TTY closes the gap.
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 10-11 Akane Yamaguchi: A really good challenge from Akane and we have a 1-point game at the interval.
Hello Morten and Gill!#BWC2021 #Huelva2021 #BWFWorldChampionships2021 pic.twitter.com/KJy5I7AfhD
— Badminton Talk (@BadmintonTalk) December 19, 2021
Womenâs Singles final, Tai Tzu Ying 9-9 Akane Yamaguchi: And now we are starting to see the quality!
Womenâs Singles final: A nervy start from both players it must be said. Perhaps understandably too, given the stakes. 7-7 in the opening game.
Tai Tzu Yingâs H2H against the players (active) she tends to be pushed:Â
 16-14 vs Ratchanok IntanonÂ
10-8 vs Carolina MarinÂ
10-7 vs Akane YamaguchiÂ
7-6 vs Nozomi Okuhara
 If anyone can keep with TTY, it is pehaps Akane.Â
Womenâs Singles final: All badminton fans will be excited for this one. Akane Yamaguchi has been in superb form since Tokyo. Tai Tzu Ying did not play since Tokyo but has come to Huelva and ended the long wait for a worlds medal. And now both of them seek a first gold.
Time for Womenâs Singles final. Top seed Tai Tzu Ying. Second seed Akane Yamaguchi. A first ever world championships gold medal at stake for both of them. Who are you backing?
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/oxojxjojts-1639909309.png)
Tai Tzu Ying has "Truly Trust Yourself" printed on her face-mask. As if one could admire more... :) pic.twitter.com/SmG5F9WO8K
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 19, 2021
The moment you realise you've helped your players become World Champions. Great work by Tesana "The Baron" Panvisvas. #XD #WorldChampions #Badminton #Huelva21 pic.twitter.com/Nc7oVoSIZf
— Steen Schleicher (@steenschleicher) December 19, 2021
Still unstoppable from Hylo Open to #Huelva2021: Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai! pic.twitter.com/wLdTVvuMZ2
— Badminton Talk (@BadmintonTalk) December 19, 2021
Mixed doubles final: Thai XD pair are World Champions! Ratchanok Intanon has company. Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai win the mixed doubles final.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/mugymnirgl-1639907971.png)
Is today the day for TTY? She or Akane Yamaguchi will be crowned the world champion for the first time.
Tai Tzu Ying has "Truly Trust Yourself" printed on her face-mask. As if one could admire more... :) pic.twitter.com/SmG5F9WO8K
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 19, 2021
Mixed doubles final: Brilliant ebb and flow to this match. When Watanabe/Higashino looked to be struggling, they put together 7 straight points to go 10-7! And from there, the Thai pair win four points in a row. A brilliant rally at 10-10.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/hurkuzepdc-1639907251.png)
Mixed doubles final: Japanese pair are fighting back. 7-7 now.
Mixed doubles final: The commentators reckon Watanabe is not alright... something bothering him and it is showing. The Thai pair are racing away with this. 4-0 in the 2nd game.
Mixed doubles final: The Thai pair are off to a flier! Dechapol on fire, Sapsiree going steady. The Japanese are struggling a bit, perhaps the last two finals defeats against the Thais in Bali playing on their mind.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/ohswehofrz-1639906297.png)
MOMENT HAI BHAI, MOMENT HAI đ@srikidambi joined @NSaina & @Pvsindhu1 to become only the 3rd đŽđł shuttler to reach the final at #WorldChampionships đŞ
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) December 19, 2021
Excitement for today's final just went đ#BWFWorldChampionships2021#Badminton
đ¸ Badminton Photo pic.twitter.com/17dxtyBJor
Sapsiree Taerattanachai said in Bali after winning the WTF title: âThis is so crazy. I think this is the first and last time I will ever play 50 matches in such a short space of time. I have a great team. We talk and support each other a lot. Everyone here in Bali is like my family. We are a team and we are really positive.â
Mixed doubles final: Good start for the Thai pair in a battle of familiar foes. They have won the last two meetings, the most recent at the World Tour Finals in Bali.
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Mixed doubles final: First up. Mixed doubles final. Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino (JPN) vs Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai (THA). Sapsiree Taerattanachai is playing her 57th match since Tokyo 2020.
57th.
Since Tokyo.
Crazy.
![](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/fghzokvflk-1639905321.png)
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the BWF World Championships. It is finals day!
Srikanth Kidambi and Lakshya Sen gave us a semifinal to remember on Saturday. Srikanth is now in the final against red-hot Loh Kean Yew and that will be the final final on the final day of the final badminton event of 2021.
Second match of the day is a brilliant game is prospect as No 1 Tai Tzu Ying takes on No 2 Akane Yamaguchi.
Schedule for the day (starting from 2.30 pm IST)
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(Screenshots in the blog courtesy Tournament Software and Disney+Hotstar)