Liu Shiwen and Lin Gaoyuan win mixed doubles gold at National Games

Action from China's 15th National Games saw Liu Shiwen successfully defend her mixed doubles title in Macao SAR, this time teaming with Lin Gaoyuan to beat Jiangsu's Kuai Man and Chen Yuanyu in a six-game thriller.

The final pitted two teams at different stages of their careers, with Liu and Lin in their 30s, while Kuai is only 21 and Chen just 19.

In the opener, the match was close towards the end, with Kuai and Chen eventually prevailing 15-13. In the second game, the young pair continued their winning run, clinching it 11-8.

The home duo then sparked into life and mounted a comeback. Liu and Lin took the third game 11-8, followed by victories in the fourth and fifth games, both 11-8, giving them a 3-2 lead overall.

Kuai and Chen remained in a fighting mood, needing a win in the sixth game, and led 9-7 at one point, even saving a match point. However, Liu and Lin ultimately prevailed 12-10 in a narrow victory to claim the gold medal.

This marked Liu's second mixed doubles gold in her sixth appearance at the National Games. She had previously teamed up with Xu Xin to win the title at the last edition.