REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chinese mixed double duo Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei retained their champion title for the second time at the World Badminton Championship here on Sunday after defeating fellow Chinese pair Liu Chen/Bao Yixin 21-17, 21-11.
"I have no special recipe to retain the title. I only keep training and fighting," Zhang said after the match.
Although they felt they did not perform maximally because they met fellow players Zhang/Zhao remained outstanding as they always led in the final games.
"Today I did not play 100 percent because we meet players who also come from China. We fought very hard at the semifinal round," Zhang said.
In the semifinal round on Saturday Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei successfully beat Indonesian top duo Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir but only after they played in three games 20-22, 23-21, 21-12.
Zhao is scheduled to play with Tian Qing in the women's double event against Christina Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl from Denmark.
She said she did not care too much about how many titles she would win but "I only wish to enjoy every game".
Zhao pairing with Zhang won a gold medal at the Asian Games 2014 in Incheon, South Korea.
Zhao and Zhan have won three world mixed double champion titles in 2011, 2014 and 2015 and and also a world champion title along with Tian Qing in the women's double event in 2014.
"Every tournament is difficult. What is important is how to play professionally representing my country. Being able to see the Chinese flag being raised and sing the national anthem gives a special pride and it is a moving moment for me," Zhao said.
Liu/Bao admitted their performance at the final round was not the best.
"In the first game we were stable and played well but unfortunately we made mistakes that caused our performance to drop in the second game," Bao said.
The fourth seeded duo said they were not too sad with gaining only a silver medal because the champion title was still held by Chinese players.
"I could say it was alright because we played against our fellow countrymen. Compared to last year, our achievement this time is more acceptable," Bao who also won a silver medal in the championship in Copenhagen, Denmark, last year said.
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