China proved its badminton powerhouse status by winning three titles at the world badminton championships while Indonesia also had a nice showing with two gold medals in pocket.
Trailing 6-0 in the opening game, Zheng/Gao were outpowered. The Indonesian duo even enjoyed a bigger margin of ten points at 13-3. The Chinese duo tried to reverse the situation and cut the deficit to four points at 18-14 but still lost 21-16. In the second, Zheng and Gao were still subdued, losing the game 21-14.
In both pairs' three previous meetings, Zheng/Gao had two wins and a loss. Their loss was in the second round of 2007 Singapore Open when Gao sustained a foot injury.
"I did feel very tired these two days. That's why I can not keep up with our opponents. Natsir played more baseline shots. It was a headache for me," said Gao.
"When I advanced to the final four, my desire for the champion became stronger. Last night, though I went to bed very early, I fell asleep late in three o'clock," said Zheng.
Nova highlighted their win and said, "We are the first Indonesian pair to win worlds mixed doubles twice. Today I think Zheng was more shaky and we focused on him. I think Zheng was then very nervous. They didn't have a good cooperation during the match."
Then China began to show its overall strength by clinching three gold medals in a row - women's and men's singles as well as women's doubles.
Zhu Lin, 23, overcame Wang Chen of Hong Kong, China, 21-8, 21-12 to win her first world championship title.
They had met four times, all won by Wang Chen. Their last meeting was in Indonesian Open when Zhu squandered a hug lead to lose.
In the first game, Zhu led 4-0, controlling the game and winning 16 clear winners against Wang's three. Zhu closed out the game 21-8.
In the second, Zhu led at the half of the game 11-8. Then Wang seemed to be inundated with unforced errors, losing 12-21.
"I am very excited. I do have some expectations for this match. Before the match, I never beat her. But I have no pressure and give it all."
"I think my sound preparation does work for my win. I have good analysis of her techniques and learn how to contain her. After years' major tournaments, I have become more mature," said Zhu.
"Exits of Zhang Ning and Xie Xingfang offer a chance for me. I should shoulder the responsibility. It's really a tough challenge for me but I turned pressure to motivation," added Zhu.
It's Wang's second worlds final after a loss to China's Ye Zhaoying in 1997 edition.
Wang plans to retire after the Beijing Olympic Games. As for the Olympics, Wang has no special preparation for it yet.
"What I need to do is to stay away from injuries and illnesses. But I do want a medal if I qualify for the Games."
World number one Lin Dan added more joy to China, defending his world title after beating Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia 21-11, 22-20 in the men's singles final in just 50 minutes.
"Ever since 2001, I have never won any titles in Malaysia. Last year I won the world champion in Madrid. When I learned that the 2007 worlds will be held in Malaysia, I thought this should be a tough challenge for me," said Lin.
"I think breaking the jinx is not only good for myself but for the whole team because the Chinese team has not done very good job in Malaysia yet."
"Last year in the Malaysian Open, I lost to Lee Chong Wei even when I led 20-13. I got emotional at that time and some spectators began to get sick of me. In this worlds, spectators booed me in the first two rounds but then they began to support me in the semifinal and final. I am happy about that," said Lin.
Lin hugged his girlfriend Xie Xingfang after the match. Xie was upset by host player Wong Mew Choo 21-10, 21-8 in the women's singles quarter-finals.
Sony was obviously disappointed, reluctant to say more words.
"In the first game, I try to keep Lin moving in the court and look for opportunities to beat him but Lin is so good," said Sony.
"In the second, I stepped up the pace but it's not that easy. I am physically tired but mentally not."
Sony edged China's Chen Yu in three sets in the semifinal.
"We know if Lin has no pressure, nobody can beat him," said Hendrawan, coach of Sony. "Sony has learned a lot of experience."
Hendrawan added, "in the second game, I told Sony to play faster, and to prove what you play in the training sessions but no use. Sony played better but still lost."
In an all-Chinese women's doubles final, Athens Olympic champions Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen fended off Gao Ling/Huang Sui in straight sets 21-16, 21-19.
While in the men's doubles final, climax of the worlds, Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia pipped Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae of South Korea 21-19, 21-19.