The Korean badminton team, led by coach Kim Hak-gyun (52), devastated Japan, led by ‘Legend’ coach Park Joo-bong (59), with a match score of 5-0.
It was in the final 3rd round of the Group D group stage of the 2023 World Badminton Federation (BWF) Sudirman Cup held at the Olympic Sports Center in Suzhou, China on the 17th.
The Sudirman Cup is the World Mixed Team Badminton Championship held every two years. Mixed doubles → Men’s singles → Women’s singles → Men’s doubles → Women’s doubles It is a team event where the match is played in the order.
Head coach Kim Hak-kyun poses with a bright smile after winning the match against Japan. Korea Badminton Association
The Korean team, which defeated France and England 4-1 each, secured their place in the quarterfinals with a three-game winning streak. Japan advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 record and second place in the group.
In Korea’s first mixed doubles match on the day, World No. 9 Kim Won-ho (Samsung Life Insurance) and Jeong Na-eun (Hwasun-gun Office) won 2-1 (19-21, 21 -15, 21-5) and took the lead with a come-from-behind victory.
Jeon Hyuk-jin, the ace of men’s singles. Suzhou| AFP Yonhap News
Ahn Se-young cheers for her victory in the women’s singles. Suzhou| AFP Yonhap News
In the men’s singles, Jeon Hyeok-jin (Yonex), ranked 69th in the world, took the lead by defeating Kenta Nishimoto, ranked 15th, 2-0 (21-11, 21-19). And in the women’s singles, World No. 2 Ahn Se-young (Samsung Life Insurance) defeated No. 1 Akane Yamaguchi 2-0 (21-11, 21-15) to confirm the victory 3-0.
However, since it was a group stage, men’s doubles and women’s doubles matches continued, and Korea won both groups.
Seo Seung-jae (left) and Kang Min-hyeok in men’s doubles. Suzhou|Xinhua Yonhap News
In the men’s doubles, Seo Seung-jae (Army Sports Corps) and Kang Min-hyeok (Samsung Life Insurance), who ranked 17th in the world, beat Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, who ranked 3rd, 2-0 (21-18, 21-12). Then, in the women’s doubles, Sohee Lee (Incheon International Airport) and Hana Baek (MG Saemaul Geumgo), ranked 5th in the world, defeated Yuki Fukushima and Sakaya Hirota, 2-0 (21-13, 21-18), finishing the finale.
Lee So-hee (right) in women’s doubles – Baek Ha-na. Suzhou|Xinhua Yonhap News
Coach Hak-gyun Kim said after the game, “It was the last match of the preliminary round, and it was a very stressful match. Japan is equal to us in terms of strength and ranks higher, but our players have done very well. To be honest, it was a game that I liked more than 100% and 200%.”
He said, “Ever since I was in Korea, I told the players, ‘We are going to China to win the Sudirman Cup’. He also emphasized the importance of the team event, and said that we were traditionally strong in the team event.”
Regarding the confrontation먹튀검증 between Ahn Se-young and Yamaguchi, coach Kim said, “I expected a 5-5 match. It was a matter of who played first. I hoped Yamaguchi wouldn’t drag her around, but Ahn Se-young took the initiative well. As Yamaguchi started to play too much, Ahn Se-young made his play easy until the end.”
Regarding the reason for using Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na in the women’s doubles, coach Kim said, “All of our other groups lost to Fukushima Yuki-Hirota Sayaka in the last Asian Championships.” N was static, but it changed a lot dynamically. The ability to execute is good to see, and it seems to be more competitive than other groups.”
Korea, which won the 15th tournament held in Gold Coast, Australia in 2017, is aiming to regain the top spot for the first time in six years.