The Spanish Carolina Marin is the new badminton world champion after winning the final to China’s Li Xuerui 21-17, 17-21, 21-18.

At 21, the Huelva makes history by becoming the first Spanish woman to win in this mode. Marin, who was already at the last European champion, also makes beating the top seed of the tournament.

Never before a Spanish had come so far in the world championship of badminton, a sport traditionally dominated by Asian athletes.

The Andalusian, now champions of Europe and the world, was always behind on the scoreboard in the first set (21-17) but held his ground and ended up making war against the favorite. In the second set, the Huelva brought out his extraordinary level and equaled the final (17-21).

Finally, the 21-year Spanish took gold with a big comeback in the third set that knew how to handle the nerves and played impressively decisive points.

Marin, 13 years later, getting a European player to meddle in the final, and becomes the third to win the title, after the Danish Lene Koppen (1977) and Camilla Martin (1999), a fact that highlights the merit of the Andalusian. It is therefore the first time in history that a Spanish manages to win gold in the final of the World Badminton.