Korea beat record champion China in Sunday’s finals of the prestigious Sudirman Cup to claim their first title since 2003. China had won the official world mixed team champions trophy for the last six times in a row.
Choi Sol-gyu and Chae Yoo-Jung were the players who secured the victory in the very last match of the day. They beat Lu Kai and Huang Yaqiong 21-17 21-13 and gave the Koreans their fourth Sudirman Cup title.
China had won all five titles since then and looked set for an 11th overall when Olympic and world champion Chen Long earned a convincing 21-10, 21-10 victory over Jeon Hyeok-jin in the men's singles to put his country 2-1 up.
Current All England champions Chang Ye-na and Lee So-hee, however, wrestled the tie back to level terms after winning a women's doubles rubber over teenagers Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan.
Korea had opted to leave new men's singles world number one Son wan-ho out of the line-up for the final but Choi, who had earlier lost the men's doubles with Seo Seung-jae, and Chae delivered when it mattered.
Lu had the height advantage but Choi used his power from the back of the court to keep the shuttlecock down around the big man's ankles.
The Koreans were always ahead of the All England and Asian champions and wrapped up the first set in 25 minutes when Huang went wide.
It was the 23-year-old's backhand that was again at fault on championship point when she could only parry into the net at the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre.
Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan's 21-14 21-15 win over Choi and Seo started the day with world championship bronze medalist Sung Ji-hyun leveling the tie up in the women's singles rubber with a 21-12 21-16 victory over Chinese lefthander He Bingjiao.
Sudirman Cup final:
Korea - China 3-2
MS: Jeon Hyeok Jin - Chen Long 10-21, 10-21
WS: Sung Ji Hyun - He Bingjiao 21-12, 21-16
MD: Choi Solgyu/Seung Jae Seo - Fu Haifeng/Zhang Nan 14-21, 15-21
WD: Chang Ya Ne/Lee So Hee - Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan 21-19, 21-13
XD: Choi Solgyu/Chae Yoo Jung - Lu Kai/Huang Yaqiong 21-17, 21-13
Recent Sudirman Cup champions:
2017: Korea
2015: China
2013: China
2011: China (Denmark runner-up)
2009: China
2007: China
2005: China
2003: Korea
2001: China
1999: China (Denmark runner-up)
CLICK HERE for all results of the BWF Total Sudirman Cup.
Article by Manuel Rösler. Photo by BadmintonPhoto (LIVE).