China's Chen Long edged out top seed Lee Chong Wei in a thrilling match to win the men's final at the World Badminton Championships on Sunday, handing the Malaysian world number one his third successive defeat in a world championship decider.

World number two Chen, who had said before the final that Lee was not unbeatable, won 21-19 21-19 to secure his first medal at the world championships.

Having also lost two Olympic finals, Lee's defeat meant that his wait for a first major title goes on.

The first set was a cagey affair with Chen edging it 21-19 and he sprang out to an early lead in the second.

Lee fought back but Chen was not to be denied.