MANILA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian national badminton team bagged three gold medals, while the Indonesians seized the other two out of five individual events in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games badminton tournament here on Monday.
At the finals held at Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Metro Manila, Lee Zii Jia, who placed at the 14th on BWF world rankings, made a one-sided game winning over Loh Kean Yew of Singapore 21-18, 21-18 in men's singles, proving his domination as a new Malaysian signature badminton player after Lee Chong Wei's retirement.
The World No.104 Kisona Selvaduray, who only plays in lower-tier tournaments, was not expected to go far in the event but the shuttler defied the odds. In the women's singles final, the 21-year-old Malaysian talent made a comeback victory after defeating Ruselli Hartawan of Indonesia 20-22, 21-14, 21-13 for the gold medal.
It only took 35 minutes for the World No.8 Indonesian partners Greysia Polii/Apriani Rahayu to smash Chayanit Chaladchalam/Phataimas Muenwong 21-3, 21-18, in the women's doubles final.
"Both of us played a great game. They showed their strong mentality in the game and we'll be happy if they win today," said Polii after the game.
She told Xinhua that they took the participation of SEA Games as a part of the whole preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. "We will improve ourselves to be ready for the biggest challenge," she added.
In Monday's other gold medal play-offs, Malaysia's Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik beat the Thais Bodin Isara/Maneepong Jongjit 18-21, 21-15 and 21-16 in men's doubles category.
Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti of Indonesia settled for gold in mixed doubles event after winning over Shevon Jemie Lai/Goh Soon Huat of Malaysia 18-21, 21-18 and 23-21.
With a men's team champion claimed on December 4, the Southeast Asian badminton powerhouse Indonesia attained three golds, two silvers and two bronzes in this year's SEA Games badminton tournament. The Malaysians finished with three golds, two silvers and five bronzes.
Thailand secured a women's team event gold medal on December 3.
