Vietnam secured four gold and three silver medals to successfully defend their title at the 8th World Shuttlecock Championships in Rome, Italy from September 1-5.

China ranked second with three golds and 4 silvers in the sport sometimes described as volley-featherball played by foot.

The event, organized by the International Shuttlecock Federation, attracted nearly 100 athletes from 12 countries and territories, including Austria, India, Poland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Vietnam.

Players competed in singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team events for both men and women.

Vietnam hosted the seventh event in 2013, and ranked first with four golds and three silvers.

The country also secured its world No. 1 status in the game over the other six previous events in Hungary in 2000 and 2007, China in 2001, 2005 and 2010 and Germany in 2002.