Korea wins first badminton women's team gold since 1994

An Se-young of Korea competes against Chen Yufei of China during the women's team gold medal match of badminton at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Sunday. [XINHUA/YONHAP]

Korea dominated China to take gold in the Asian Games women’s badminton team final on Sunday, winning six straight games to claim the title on centre court at the BJ Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China.

Korea made short work of the Chinese squad, winning every single match in 3 hours and 43 minutes.

An Se-young started things off for Korea, beating Chen Yufei of China 21-12, 21-13 to win her opening match.

The doubles pair of Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na followed An onto the court, winning a closer opening game against China’s Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan, 21-18. Lee and Baek rallied to take the second game with a more comfortable lead, 21-14.

Kim Ga-eun then stepped up looking to finish things off against China’s He Bingjiao.

The match was far closer, with He desperate to keep China alive in the tournament. Kim hang on to take both games, the first pushing to 23-21 and the second 21-17.

The six games allowed Korea to take a 3-0 win and take their first Asiad gold medal since 1994. Korea’s best finish in recent years was a silver in 2014.

Sunday’s medal is Korea’s second in badminton at the Asian Games, after taking silver in the men’s team event on Saturday.

Sunday’s final ends the team badminton events at this year’s Asiad, with the singles events set to start on Monday.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]