Seo Seung Jae and Kim Won Ho, the world's top-ranked men's badminton doubles team, on March 8 celebrate after winning their second consecutive title at the All England Open at Utilita Arena Birmingham in the U.K.'s No. 2 city of Birmingham.

By Lee Dasom
Photos = Yonhap News

Seo Seung Jae and Kim Won Ho, the world's top-ranked men's badminton doubles team, have won a second consecutive title at the All England Open, the sport's most prestigious tournament.

The duo pulled off Korea's first repeat title in the men's team event in 40 years.

At Utilita Arena Birmingham, Seo and Kim on March 8 beat the Malaysian pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, 2-1 (18-21, 21-12, 21-19), in the final.

The victory was Korea's first repeat championship in the men's team event since Park Joo Bong and Kim Moon Soo in 1985 and 1986.

Seo and Kim Won Ho lost the first set to Malaysia but came back to take the second, 21-12.

The third saw the Korean duo down 12-7 but they rallied for a 20-19 win and the title.

For the women, An Se Young lost her bid to become the first Korean to repeat as a singles champion at the All England Open, losing in straight sets to Wang Zhi Yi of China in the final, 21-15, 21-19.

An Se Young on March 8 holds up her runner-up medal in the All England Open at Utility Arena Birmingham in Birmingham.