[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Park] The fate of the badminton national team’s medals will be decided this weekend. The men’s singles and the women’s doubles match, which has already secured a bronze medal, will be held on the 31st.
The national team upheld the pride of a badminton powerhouse by winning the Korea-Japan match at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. On the 27th, Heo Gwanghee, ranked 38th in the world, caused a major upset by defeating world number one Momota Kento (Japan) and advanced to the men’s singles quarterfinals. Although he was trailing 5-10 in the first game, he turned the momentum around with fierce determination. He did not miss the chance when his opponent was flustered and won 2-0 (21-15, 21-19).
On the 29th, the women’s doubles pair Kim Soyoung and Gong Heeyong dramatically overcame the world number two Japanese team after seven deuces. They easily took the first game but lost the second as their consecutive attacks were blocked. In the early third game, they were down 0-4 but forced errors from their opponents and made a fierce comeback to secure a place in the semifinals.
The best-case scenario is an all-Korean final in the women’s doubles, a “family battle.” The national team’s Lee Sohee and Shin Seungchan also defeated the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and advanced to the semifinals, already securing a bronze medal. To upgrade the medal to gold, they must overcome the Great Wall. The team’s hopeful An Seyoung lost 0-2 (18-21, 19-21) to world number two Chen Yufei (China) in the women’s singles quarterfinals on the 30th. Kim Soyoung and Gong Heeyong were also defeated 1-2 by Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan in the group stage on the 27th. The two teams will meet again on the 31st.
Kim Soyoung and Gong Heeyong said, “We hope the good energy from the quarterfinals continues. We will prepare with the mindset of playing a match without regrets once again.” Lee Sohee said, “I’m very happy just to have reached the semifinals, but now I have to focus on each game again,” showing no signs of being swayed by emotions.
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