SOUTH KOREA made a clean sweep in the men’s events at the Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, yesterday, defeating China in the singles and Indonesia in the doubles.

China, the prime power in world badminton, won the women’s singles and doubles.

Seventh seed Park Sung-hwan, who was not even expected to make the final, beat fourth seed Chen Jin 21-18, 21-18 to win the men’s singles trophy.

“I am so happy because this is the first big title for me ever since I made my international debut six years ago,” said Park, 24.

“Maybe this title will give me the boost I need in search of more titles,” he said.

The Korean combination of Lee Yong-dae and Jung Jae-sung overwhelmed the Indonesian challenge of Chandra Wijaya and Nova Widianto 21-16, 21-18 to capture their third men’s doubles title of the year after the All-England and the Swiss Open.

In the women’s singles, defending champion Jiang Yanjiao captured her second ABC crown, defeating China compatriot Wang Lin 18-21, 21-18, 21-13.

The world’s No. 1 women’s doubles pair of Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen continued their supremacy, beating Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Wen-hsin and Chien Yu-chin in scores of 22-20, 21-16.(SD-Agencies)

Winner of the men's singles Park Sung-hwan of South Korea (L) poses with runner-up Chen Jin of China on the podium at Johor Bahru City Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, yesterday.SD-Agencies