Team China win 2023 Sudirman Cup

Team China are the 2023 Sudirman Cup champions after winning the tournament on home soil in Suzhou over the weekend. It was a record-extending 13th Sudirman Cup title for the hosts as they saw off South Korea in the final. 

The group stage saw Team China successfully progress to the knockout stages without any issues, as they dished out three 5-0 victories against Egypt, Singapore and Denmark respectively. It was another whitewash in the quarter final as Indonesia were beaten 3-0, before an exciting 3-2 win over Japan in the semis. That left just South Korea standing in the way of a third consecutive title for China.

China took an early lead in the tie with an 18-21, 22-20, 21-8 victory for Zheng Siwei & Huang Ya Qiong in the mixed doubles. It was soon 2-0 to the hosts as Shi Yu Qi beat Lee Yun Gyu 21-13, 21-17, and the title was secured in the women's singles as Chen Yu Fei defeated An Se Young 21-16, 22-20. 

For Team England, the Cup offered an opportunity for the younger players to play against the world's best at a major tournament.  Results may not have gone their way, losing 5-0 to Japan and France and 4-1 to South Korea, but the invaluable experience of playing at the highest level will stand them in good stead for future competition.