Advertisement

Tokyo Olympics: China’s Chen Yufei beats Tai Tzu-ying, ends Taiwan’s dream of second badminton gold

  • World No 2 women’s singles player takes Tokyo crown after epic 2-1 thriller over Taiwanese star
  • Silver is only Taiwan’s second-ever shuttling medal at the Games, day after first, while India’s PV Sindhu beats China’s He Bingjiao for bronze

Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
15
China's Chen Yufei reacts after a point with Taiwan's Tai Tzu-ying in their women's singles badminton final match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza. Photo: AFP
China’s Chen Yufei won the Tokyo 2020 women’s singles badminton final on Sunday night, ending Tai Tzu-ying’s hopes of securing Taiwan’s second gold medal in as many days.

Chen won 2-1 in a thriller at the Musashino Forest Sports Park Plaza, which lasted 81 minutes.

The world No 2, but No 1 seed, won the first game 21-18 before the world No 1, but No 2 seed, Tai fought back with a 21-19 win in the second.

Chen stood firm in another hard-fought battle for the decider, triumphing 21-18 to take gold. It is the 23-year-old’s first Olympic title.

Taiwan's Tai Tzu-ying reacts after a point against China's Chen Yufei in their women's singles badminton final. Photo: AFP
Taiwan's Tai Tzu-ying reacts after a point against China's Chen Yufei in their women's singles badminton final. Photo: AFP

Tai’s silver is only Taiwan’s second Olympic badminton medal after a 29-year wait for the first was ended in Saturday night’s men’s doubles.

Advertisement