Guangdong, Hubei take badminton team bronzes at National Games

Guangdong and Hubei provincial teams split men's and women's badminton team bronze medals at China's 11th National Games on Monday.

Guangdong, runner-up of last National Games, meeting no tough challenge from Liaoning, wrapped up a victory of 3-1.

Wang Zhengming, world No. 235, set a good start for Guangdong as he outplayed Gao Huan, world No. 85, 21-17, 19-21, 21-15.

"I'm satisfied with my performance today as I restrained his frontcourt play," said Wang. "When I won the first set, I lost my composure, which led to my failure in the second. In the decider, I restored my calmness and got the upper hand."

"My victory will make our team stand a better chance of winning the bronze medal." added Wang.

"I'm so familiar with Wang as we are both in the national reserve team. We have played so many matches and he is better in attack than me." said Gao.

In the following doubles match, Zhu Lihua and Luo Jiening pipped Wei Shifeng and Xu Dazhong 22-20, 21-19, putting Guangdong 2-0 ahead.

But Zhou Wenlong, world No. 61 and national team member, managed to pull one point back for Liaoning by taking down Wu Yunyong 21-10, 22-24, 21-8.

"This is a critical point for Liaoning," said Zhou."I was influenced in the second set as my left eye was hit by the shuttlecock but I managed to overcome it and gave it all in the decider."

World champion and Olympic runner-up Fu Haifeng paired up with Chen Qiqiu, who is now a national coach, to pip Li Haonan and Li Hannan 23-21, 21-16, pulling off the 3-1 victory for Guangdong.

"It's a big regret that we didn't make the finals but I have done my best," said Chen, who has played three National Games.

"It is anticipated that we might play the Liaoning twins. So we are well prepared for this match mentally and physically." said Fu.

Hubei bagged a bronze medal in women's team event by beating defending champion Hunan 3-1.

The result was a pleasant surprise for Hubei whose original goal was entering the quarterfinals. The team's previous best was a fourth place finish in 2001.

Li Wen gave Hubei a good start as she outlasted Cheng Wen of Hunan 21-14, 21-19. While Zhao Yunlei and Wang Xiaoli put Hubei 2-0 ahead by overcoming Xia Huan and Bao Yixin 21-11, 21-13.

However, Hubei's winning streak was snapped as Chen Xi conceded to Shi Xiaoqian 21-19, 21-10.

In the following doubles match, Gao Ling, who owns 14 world titles, paired with Wei Yili and defeated Liu Xin/Liao Nian of Hunan.

"It is a breakthrough for Hubei badminton," said an excited GaoLing, a twice Olympic champion in mixed doubles.

Jiangsu and Fujian will battle for the men's team gold medal while Guangdong and Jiangsu will vie for the women's team champion on Tuesday.

Source: Xinhua