China lift Sudirman Cup, fulfil "grand slam"

China's Gao Ling (L3) and Zhang Jun (R2) hold up the Sudirman Cup in the podium ceremony after China winning the final match at the 2005 World Mixed Team Badminton Championships for the Sudirman Cup in Beijing, China, May 15, 2005.

China won back the badminton Sudirman Cup to the overwhelming ovation of home fans, fulfilling a "grand slam" with Thomas and Uber Cups already in hands.

The hosts swept last rival Indonesia 3-0 to lift the Cup for a record fifth time here on Sunday. They have won the 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001 events in a row but lost the trophy two years ago to South Korea.

China will also make the history of this sport as the first team to hold the three trophies at the same time.

The four-time Cup winner dispatched all the big guns. Two-time Olympic champions Zhang Jun/Gao Ling started the final showdown for the hosts, taking on world No. 6 Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir.

The Chinese veterans countered strong resistance and lost the opener 12-15. But they regained form into the second game and won the mixed doubles event 15-5, 15-8 to cheers from the packed stands.

"We know the opening victory means a lot to the team, but we dare not to think much," Zhang said.

"And of course we felt the pressure, especially in the first game. I'm glad we fight back to win, making it easier for our teammates."

Real climax came upon court when Chinese men's ace Lin Dan met Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat in the second category.

The clash went to the deadlock from the very beginning as Lin had to fight till 17-15 in the first game. Things then went easier for the current world No. 1 and he finished the second 15-9.

"Both of us played well, but I proved I could beat him although he took the Olympic gold medal," Lin said.

The 21-year-old was the pre-match favorite in Athens last year but was ousted in the first round to end his first-ever Olympic journey.

The women's single became a mere formality as Olympic gold medallist Zhang Ning was clearly too strong for Indonesian Fransisca Hari S.

Zhang ended a quick fight 11-1, 11-7 to seal China's sweeping victory.

Chinese smashed Indonesia's hope to regain the trophy, named after the Indonesian badminton legend Sudirman, after they won the 1989 inaugural event. And a year ago, China won the other two team championships in Jakarta.