Sweet revenge it is, Jörgen Persson is World champion!!! (Chiba 1991)

Jörgen Persson has laid the ghosts of Dortmund 1989 to rest here in Chiba, claiming victory over the man who bested him two years earlier and good friend Jan-Ove Waldner.

While the full five-game distance was required in Dortmund, Persson only needed the three to see off Waldner in Chiba but having said that all three games were close with Waldner within a three point margin in each (21-19, 21-18, 21-18).

Repeat or revenge? (Chiba 1991)

Next up we head to 1991 as two of Sweden’s biggest names meet face-to-face for the World Championships crown in Chiba. A repeat of the 1989 final in Dortmund, Jan-Ove Waldner beat Jörgen Persson to the title on that occasion – will it be the same outcome in Chiba or will it be revenge for Persson?

Japan celebrates as Seiji Ono strikes gold! (Pyongyang 1979)

Talk about drama! Seiji Ono, ranked no.18 in the world, has defied the odds to become men’s singles World champion in Pyongyang with a sensational display against Guo Yuehua (25-23, 21-17, 18-21, 3-0).

A tight contest in the early stages of the match, both players really gave it their best with a spot at the top of the podium awaiting the winner. Down by two games Guo was struck by grave misfortune at 18-18, pulling a muscle in his leg and was forced to take a medical time out. Incredibly Guo collected the following three points to win the game. However, just three points into game four and the pain became too much to handle for Guo, offering his hand to Ono. The match was over.