Two facts stood out about Korea’s victory of the Suhandinata Cup at the World Junior Mixed Team Championships 2022 on Saturday.
The first was how untroubled they were all through the week, for they completed their campaign winning 28 matchers and only dropping two. The second was that they used two players – Kim Byung Jae and the 16-year-old Kim Min Seon – in dual roles, playing singles and doubles, which has become unusual in recent times among top teams due to early specialisation.
“We chose the best we had. In Korea our players play more than one category. We have many team matches, and it’s not unusual for our players to play two categories,” said Ko Young Goo, head coach of the junior team.
Korea head coach Ko Young Goo.
The visibly emotional coach, who said he was still “nervous” after the final, said they’d been inspired by the senior women’s team Uber Cup victory in May.
“The Uber Cup victory gave the idea to this team that they could do it too. It was a major source of inspiration.
“This win will have a great effect on the younger players who have seen this performance. Our team is quite young, they will carry this success forward once they become seniors. It’s a great sign for Korean badminton,” said Ko.
The coach was impressed by the composure shown by 16-year-old twins Kim Min Seon and Kim Min Ji as they ensured the win for Korea in the fourth match of the final.
“I will give them 100 points out of 100, because they rose to the challenge,” said Ko. “It’s a very good signal for Korean women’s badminton.”
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