Seungjae Seo (Samsung Life) and Yujeong Chae (Incheon International Airport) duo, who competed in badminton doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics but left empty-handed, found meaning in their efforts and eased their regrets.
On the 2nd (local time) at the Porte de la Chapelle arena in Paris, France, Seo Seungjae and Chae Yujeong lost 0-2 (13-21, 20-22) to Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino (Japan) in the Olympic mixed doubles bronze medal match, finishing 4th in the tournament.
Last year’s World Championship-winning pair Seo Seungjae and Chae Yujeong were considered gold medal contenders at this Olympics as well, but after being upset by the world No. 8 junior team Kim Wonho (Samsung Life) and Jung Naeun (Hwasun County Office) in the semifinals the day before, they also lost the bronze medal match and missed the podium.
Seo Seungjae said, “I didn’t completely rule out the possibility of ‘no medal,’ but I did my best,” and added, “I competed in my second Olympics without regrets.” Seo also attracted attention by partnering with Kang Minhyuk (Samsung Life) in men’s doubles at this tournament, but they were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Regarding the physical burden of competing in two events simultaneously, Seo said, “It would be a lie to say that playing many matches had no effect. It was a path I chose, and I tried to do my best,” adding, “I’m upset about the poor results, and I’m sorry I couldn’t meet the expectations of many people who helped me get this far.”
Wearing his wedding ring around his neck during the matches, he said, “I did that thinking I was playing together with my wife,” and expressed, “My wife cheered a lot, and I’m sorry I couldn’t achieve the desired results. Still, I’m thankful and love her for supporting and cheering me on.” He continued, “Many athletes come to the Olympics with strong desire and focus. I think the difference in rankings comes down to who is more focused and plays more desperately,” and added, “I was desperate and did my best, but better players took the medals.”
After being eliminated in the quarterfinals at the 2020 Tokyo Games held in 2021, Seo Seungjae and Chae Yujeong once again failed to cross the medal threshold this time, making it highly likely that this Olympic journey will be their last.
Chae Yujeong reflected, “Personally, I thought this would be my last Olympics with Seungjae, so I had a personal wish to gift him a medal, whether gold or bronze, but I’m sorry I couldn’t,” and added, “As an older sister, I should have comforted and led him, but I relied on him too much uncharacteristically, so I feel upset and sorry.”
Seo Seungjae said, “I want to say thank you for being together for six years, and I’m sorry the results were disappointing,” but emphasized, “I gave everything I could, and just because the Olympics are over doesn’t mean life is over, so I hope we both do well going forward.”
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