Seven Days of Intense Competition
A New Era for the National Badminton Team Begins
Sangju has emerged as a key stage for selecting South Korea's national badminton team.
The Sangju city government announced that it will host the "2026 National Badminton Team Selection Tournament" from December 21 to 27 at both the new and old gymnasiums in Sangju. The tournament is organized by the Badminton Korea Association and hosted by the Sangju Badminton Association.
A total of 115 athletes from across the country will compete, with 7 men and 7 women selected for singles, and 12 men and 12 women for doubles, resulting in a total of 38 national team members. As the next generation of national team hopefuls gather in one place, the competition is expected to be filled with intense and thrilling matches every day.
An Seyoung (Samsung Life Insurance), a leading figure in South Korean badminton, and Sim Yujin (Incheon International Airport Skymons), a top-ranked player, are classified as priority selections for the national team and will not participate in this selection tournament.
Kang Youngseok, Mayor of Sangju, stated, "It is highly meaningful for Sangju to welcome the national team candidates who will carry on the prestige of Korean badminton on the world stage," adding, "We will spare no administrative and facility support to ensure all athletes can perform at their best in optimal conditions."
Previously, in August, Sangju hosted the national badminton team candidates' summer training camp, during which around 60 athletes and coaches stayed in the region for two weeks. This led to increased use of local accommodation and restaurants, positively impacting the local economy.
Hosting the national team selection tournament demonstrates that Sangju is evolving beyond just a "city of training camps" to become a gateway for elite sports. Sangju's strategy of linking sports events to the local economy and the city's brand is once again being put to the test.
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