Badminton: Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na Win World Championships After 31 Years

In a stunning upset, South Korean badminton duo Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na clinched the World Championships title, ending a 31-year drought for Korean women's doubles at the prestigious event. The world No. 3 pair triumphed over the formidable world No. 1 Chinese pair, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan, in a decisive 2-0 victory in the final held in New Delhi.

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Lee So-hee-Baek Ha-na pair, who had been at the top of the world for 12 weeks, were former champions.

This remarkable achievement marks the pair's first title of the season and comes on the grandest stage of the sport, solidifying their place in badminton history. The victory is particularly sweet as it comes against a Chinese team that has historically been their "nemesis." Prior to this match, Lee and Baek had a losing record against Chen and Jia, having lost six out of eleven encounters and all five matches they played against them this year, including a semi-final defeat just last month.

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The final opponent, the Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan pair, was their 'nemesis.'

The final match, which lasted 51 minutes, saw Lee and Baek deliver a performance of composure and dominance. Baek Ha-na's effective net play disrupted the opponents' rhythm, while Lee So-hee's sharp attacks kept the pressure on. South Korea seized an early lead in the first game, establishing a commanding 17-10 advantage and maintaining control throughout.

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Baek Ha-na calmly cut off the opponent's flow at the net, and Lee So-hee shook the court with sharp attacks from behind.

In the second game, the Korean pair maintained their intense focus, ultimately winning a grueling rally of 67 shots that decisively broke the Chinese team's momentum. The Chinese duo faltered with unforced errors, allowing Lee and Baek to secure the gold medal. The victory was met with jubilant celebrations on court, with their coach Park Joo-bong and doubles coach Lee Kyung-won also expressing their delight.

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The Korean team took the lead from the start of the first game, winning five consecutive points and seizing the initiative.