Christie, ‘Minions’ all gold at Asian Games

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie stunned Taiwan’s Chou Tien- chen for Asian Games badminton gold as a home pair Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, af fec t ionat ely dubbed the ‘Minions’ won the men’s doubles at a rocking Jakarta arena on Tuesday.

Christie said he’d never dreamed of being crowned Asian Games champion on home soil after his thrilling 21-18, 20-22, 21-15 against the world number six – his first title of the year.

Later, Taiwan’s world number one Tai Tzuying beat PV Sindhu 21-13, 21-16 in 34 minutes – the fifth final defeat in a row for the muchendorsed Indian, who is listed as the world’s seventh richest female athlete.

The delighted Christie ripped off his shirt as fans roared after his win over Chou, which made him Indonesia’s first men’s singles gold medallist since former Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat in 2006.

The world number 15 overcame nerves to edge the first game but after faltering in the second, he regained his composure in the decisive final game.

It capped a memorable run for Indonesia’s men after Anthony Sinisuka Ginting knocked out world champion Kento Momota and Olympic gold-medallist Chen Long en route to bronze.

“I did not expect that I can win a gold at the Asian Games. Actually there are a lot of good players here and I never expected that I could come out as a winner,” said Christie.

Kevin and Marcus won an allIndonesian final against Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto 13-21, 21-18, 24-22.

In a celebratory atmosphere at the badminton stadium, Sukamuljo and Gideon collapsed to the f loor as their opponents’ final shot went wide to settle a gripping final game.