PARIS: China's Jia Yifan was in hospital with pneumonia only a month ago but on Saturday she won an "unbelievable" Olympic badminton gold with women's doubles partner Chen Qingchen.
The top-seeded pair beat compatriots Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning 22-20, 21-15 in a tense final at La Chapelle Arena to claim China's second badminton gold of the Games.
Yifan said it was "unbelievable" to find herself on the podium, weeks after falling sick and spending a week in hospital before the Games.
"I was in pain and fear because I knew my partner would be training by herself," she said.
"When I think about it today, I can't imagine how I came back.
"I have to say thanks to my partner for supporting my in my hour of need."
Qingchen and Yifan lost in the final of the Tokyo Olympics three years ago but they went one better in Paris thanks to a gritty performance.
They fended off four straight game points before riding the momentum and taking the first game, and kept it going into the second to close out the win.
Qingchen said facing the pressure helped to settle her nerves.
"I was feeling tense until we went 20-16 down, then for some reason the tension went away," she said.
"I can't explain it, it was surreal."
Qingchen-Yifan, who have played together for 10 years, wrapped up the win before joining their beaten opponents in holding a Chinese flag up to the crowd.
Shengshu-Ning were making their Olympic debuts and Qingchen-Yifan tipped them as future gold medallists.
"I would never have imagined 18 months ago that I would be standing on the Olympic podium today," said the 20-year-old Shengshu.
"Today I could compete and stand on the podium with my sisters, and it was a great honour."
Japan's Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida took bronze after beating Malaysia's Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah 21-11, 21-11.
China have topped the badminton medals table at the past six Olympics.
They grabbed their first badminton gold of the Paris Games on Friday when Huang Yaqiong and Zheng Siwei won the mixed doubles final.
They have a chance to win another when top seeds Liang Weikeng and Wang Chan take on Taiwan's defending champions Lee Yang and Wang Chi Lin in the men's doubles final today. - AFP