China's Li Xuerui completed her dream run at Wembley Arena by outbattling her illustrious compatriot Wang Yihan to claim Olympic gold.

Xuerui Li of China celebrates winning her women's Singles Badminton gold medal match against Yihan Wang, also of China, on Day 8 of London 2012.

The 21-year-old failed to convert two match points in the second game but managed to summon enough energy to clinch a draining women's singles final 21-15 21-23 21-17.

Wang, the world champion and world number one, had long seemed destined for the top prize but third seed Li's form throughout the week had suggested she could cause an upset.

Saina Nehwal of India took bronze after defeating another Chinese athlete, Xin Wang.