Leaping Lin claims third title

HYDERABAD, India: Lin Dan of China made history when he became the first shuttler to win a third successive men's singles title at the World Badminton Championships yesterday.

Fifth-seeded Lin, champion in 2006 and 2007, needed 46 minutes to down compatriot Chen Jin 21-18, 21-16 in the final. The championships were not held last year because of the Beijing Olympics.

His girlfriend and fifth-seeded Xie Xingfang's dream of becoming the first woman to bag a third singles title was shattered when she was beaten by compatriot Lu Lan 23-21, 21-12 in a tame final.