Malaysian pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong put an end to the
country's 36-year wait for a gold from badminton in the Asian
Games, local press reported Sunday.
The pair defeated Indonesian opponents Luluk Hadiyanto/Alven
Yulianto 21-13, 21-14 in the men's doubles final in Doha Saturday
night.
Last time Malaysian shuttlers won Asian Games gold medals was in
1970, when the country bagged three golds in men's singles, men's
doubles and mixed doubles.
Koo/Tan not only brought home the first gold after 36 years of
painful waiting but also became the first Malaysian badminton
players to advance to the Asiad final after the year 1994.
The pair of dark horses have far outreached the bronze target
set by the National Sport Commission, helping lift the gloom in the
Malaysian camp and securing the fourth gold for the southeast Asian
country.
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(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2006)