Riding on their new found confidence after knocking out top seeds China in the semi-finals Japan ripped through South Korea 3-0 in the final to become the first holders of the Tong Yun Kai Cup in the inaugural Robot Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships which ended in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday.
The Koreans had no answer to the Japanese onslaught at the packed Nguyen Du Cultural Sports Club which drew the biggest crowd in the weeklong tournament.
It was a fairy tale ending for the Japanese who became the favourites after they sent China out in the semi-finals with a 3-1 scoreline.
On Sunday it was straight set wins for Japan in the three matches played with men's doubles pair Takeshi Kamura-Keogo Sonoda smashing their way to a 21-15, 21-16 win over Kim Gi-jung-Yoo Yeon-seong in 43 minutes.
It was a demoralising setback for the Koreans who believed they had an even chance in the final after Japan's defeat of favourites China.
It was a touch and go affair in the women's singles but it was Japan's Akane Yamaguchi who had the little extra under pressure to edge out Korean hope Sung Ji-hyun 22-20, 23-21 as the crowd acknowledged their badminton. The match lasted 54 minutes – longest in the final.
Kenta Nishimoto, who played a vital role in the big win over China in the semis once again showed that he has matured into a player of reckoning in game when he outplayed Korea's Jeong Hyeok-jin 21-13, 21-16 in 42 minutes.
It was celebration time for the Japanese when Mr Tong Yun Kai himself presented the elegant trophy to the champions. He was accompanied by Mr Anton Aditya Subowo the president of Badminton Asia.
Japan chief coach Park Joo Bong, who hails from Korea, said: "I did not expect a 3-0 victory margin. I had expected a much closer scoreline. The win over China was the turning point for us in the tournament.
"Of course we are happy to be the first winners of the trophy (Tong Yun Kai Cup) and it will drive us to achieve more success…the Sudirman Cup in Melbourne is our next target."
RESULTS (FINAL)
JAPAN 3 KOREA 0
(Japan first)
MS: Kenta Nishimoto beat Jeon Hyeok-jin 21-13, 21-16
WS: Akane Yamaguchi beat Sung Ji-hyun 22-20, 23-21
MD: Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda beat Kim Gi-jung-
