Rina Marlina of Indonesia continued her meteoric rise in Para badminton with double gold in women’s singles and mixed doubles Short Stature SH6 at the HULIC DAIHATSU BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2022 in Tokyo.

Making her debut at the BWF World Championships, Marlina proved too strong for defending champion Giuliana Poveda Flores of Peru 21-14 21-14.

Earlier, she combined with Subhan to dispatch Poveda and Nilton Quispo Ignacio in the mixed doubles 21-9 21-15.

Poveda, competing in three different finals on Sunday, did however taste glory in women’s doubles with Ruby Milagros Fernandez Vargas of Peru, defeating Polish pair of Daria Bujnicka and Oliwia Szmigiel 21-13, 21-14.

“Yes, my opponent was too strong for me today but I played my best this time and I’ll try to do better the next time,” Poveda said. “This was the first time I was playing her in singles and also in mixed doubles.”

Not to be outdone by Marlina’s achievement, Oksana Kozyna of Ukraine went one better by delivering her country’s first ever medal of any colour in the BWF Para Badminton World Championships or BWF World Championships.

Kozyna came back from a game down to script history by defeating Turkiye’s Halime Yildiz 20-22 21-18 21-14 after which she broke out into jubilant celebrations.

“I feel it was written for me.” Kozyna said. “My coach kept pushing me, telling me to keep running, fight for every point and to keep believing in myself.”

Cheah Liek Hou of Malaysia stretched his unbeaten streak to 14 consecutive titles as he dominated his Indonesian opponent and defending champion Dheva Anrimusthi in straight games in the men’s singles SU5.

Cheah added a World Championships gold to go with his Paralympic title won at the same venue last year, making it an impressive seven individual gold medals at the World Championships, to go with an additional five men’s doubles SU5 titles.

Anrimusthi, however, exacted revenge on Cheah shortly after as he and his men’s doubles partner Hafizh Briliansyah Prawiranegara defeated the Malaysian pair of Cheah and Mohamad Faris Ahmad Azri in straight games to add to Indonesia’s clutch of world titles on Sunday.

India’s Pramod Bhagat added a fourth men’s singles World Championships gold with a straight games win over countryman Nitesh Kumar in the SL3 category.

Worlds debutant Manisha Ramadass of India scored a second gold for India in defeating Mamiko Toyoda of Japan 21-15 21-15.

Norway’s Helle Sofie Sagoey defeated home favourite and top seed Haruka Fujino in three games in the women’s singles SL4 final, while Hong Kong China’s Chu Man Kai defeated the men’s singles SH6 top seed Jack Shephard, also in three tense games.

“I couldn’t make it past the quarterfinals on two previous occasions,” Chu said. “It feels so nice to be addressed as a world champion.”

WHAT OTHERS SAID

On winning gold in the women’s doubles SL3-SU5 with Khalimatus Sadiyah after giving birth to a baby three months ago.

“I was more thinking to prepare for the Asian Para Games and the next Paralympics, so this is a bit unexpected. This is definitely a gift from my baby.” – Leani Ratri Oktila

On winning his fourth men’s singles SL3 World Championships title.

“Like Lin Dan is a five-time world champion, I have also set a milestone for myself to try and win another one.” – Pramod Bhagat

On the rising popularity of Para sports, particularly Para badminton.

“Para sports is gaining popularity everywhere as it gives people with disabilities a new life. People feel like trying to take up a sport as a hobby, you don’t have to think about representing your country right away. From there, you can think about your hobby becoming a new career. If you are interested in it, you can take it up more seriously.” – Cheah Liek Hou

On compatriot Pilar Jauregui becoming world champion in the women’s singles WH2 category.

“We have a new world champion in Pilar Jauregui. It is amazing. She deserves it because she has trained so hard for it. I’m really happy with how our team has performed in all competition. We will become stronger and stronger.” – Giuliana Poveda Flores

On winning the men’s doubles SH6 world title with Thailand’s 15-year-old Natthapong Meechai.

“I would love to continue playing with Meechai because even if we don’t have time to practise together, our connection is very good. This is why we have been able to play well on this stage. So, if he accepts then it would be great to keep playing together.” – Lee Daesung

→ Results (Day 6)