ZCZC
BSP-14
BADMINTON-ASIA-CHN
Yamaguchi races to Japan’s first Asia women’s title
SHANGHAI, April 28, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Akane Yamaguchi became the first Japanese to win the Badminton Asia Championships women’s title on Sunday with an emphatic victory over China’s He Bingjiao.
The third seed, a silver medallist two years ago, comfortably defeated fifth-seeded He 21-19, 21-9 in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
The 21-year-old Yamaguchi, a former world number one, raced out of the blocks in both games against her stunned opponent, who is a year older.
Yamaguchi went 12-2 up in the first game and was ahead 11-1 in the second on the way to the title in just 42 one-sided minutes.
BSS/AFP/AU/15:55 hrs