An efficient Korean squad duly captured their country’s third title at the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships beating Chinese Taipei 3-1.
The Koreans’ MVP of the day was 16-year-old Kim Min Seon, who aced her roles in singles and doubles. The left-hander needed just 33 minutes to win her singles match, and then returned to clinch the win for Korea in the company of her twin sister Kim Min Ji.
Despite having to shoulder the responsibility of two matches, Kim Min Seon said she never felt the burden: “There was no pressure, I was just enjoying the experience as this was a big occasion.
Kim Min Seon, who won both her matches for Korea.
“It’s very difficult to express our feelings. Just very happy. It’s so unexpected. We could learn many things this week as our opponents are all top international players.”
Korea, who had lost only one match previously in the tournament while winning 25, were in danger of losing their opener today.
Men’s singles spearhead Kim Byung Jae was down match point to Kuo Kuan Lin, but found a way out of trouble, and kept a lead all through the third to give Korea the lead.
“I’m really happy because I could win the first match. The first game slipped by very quickly. My coach told me to calm down, and to be confident. I tried to get the attack early in the third and played at a faster pace, and that worked,” said Kim Byung Jae.
Kim Byung Jae won the opening point for Korea.
With Kim Min Seon making it 2-0, it was all going Korea’s way before Chinese Taipei pulled one back in the men’s doubles. Kim Min Seon then returned with Kim Min Ji, and after a hard challenge in the opening game by Nicole Gonzales Chan/Yang Chu Yun, the Koreans established their dominance to seal the issue in straight games.
“I’m still shaking, and I cannot believe this. I’m just very very happy,” said head coach Ko Young Goo.
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