Kim So-young (left) and Gong Hee-yong pose together ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Games badminton team’s public training held at the Jincheon National Athletes’ Village on the 16th of last month. Reporter Ahn Hee-soo
“Sister, could you please leave the room for a moment?”
When asked what they want from each other, ‘younger brother’ Gong Hee-yong (26)’s eyes sparkle as if he has a lot to say. ‘Sister’ Kim So-young (31) said to the reporter covering her, “I don’t think I should be in front. Please listen separately and let me know. “There shouldn’t be anything I don’t know about (Gong) Heeyong,” she said with a smile.
Even though they bicker, the way they show affection is like real sisters. The ‘Kim Kong’ (an expression derived from the surnames of Kim So-young and Kong Hee-yong) is the most familiar nickname in Korean badminton history. Formed in 2019, their unique strong teamwork built on and off the court over the past four years is their biggest strength.
The pair of Kim So-young and Kong Hee-yong are strong candidates for the gold medal in badminton women’s doubles at the Hangzhou Asian Games (AG), which opens on the 23rd. The two athletes, who made their presence known to domestic sports fans by winning a bronze medal together at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, are continuing their good pace by reaching the top in four competitions this year. Last March, he won a gold medal at the All England Open, the most prestigious event in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) tour competition. Current world ranking is 3rd.
Kim So-young, who is good at serving and playing in front of the net, and Kong Hee-yong, who shakes the opponent’s defense with strong smashes from the back. Like any other doubles group, the Kim Kong duo is composed of a combination that complements each other’s shortcomings and maximizes their strengths.
When asked about the unique characteristics of the Kim Kong duo, Kim So-young raised her voice and said, “It is a special partnership.” Gong Hee-yong nodded, tidying up Kim So-young’s disheveled bangs with her own hands.
Kim So-young is a natural sister. She always approaches Gong Hee-yong first. Kim So-young said, “Honestly, I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I can tell her emotions and energy just by looking at her facial expressions. If Heeyong seems to lose concentration while exercising, I try to ask him first if possible. Other factors besides badminton may have an influence. “She talks and tries to empathize and understand,” she said. Gong Hee-yong also said, “Sometimes my sister gets frustrated because I don’t reveal my true feelings well. “Seeing her understand that makes me want to talk more.”
This year, the two players became closer. This is because the camaraderie grew as Gong Hee-yong cheered on Kim So-young’s challenge.
Kim So-young, who attempted to become a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) athlete committee last summer, even participated in the interview at the domestic candidate selection evaluation meeting, but was pushed out by ‘golf queen’ Park In-bee. Kim So-young said, “I have always dreamed of becoming an IOC athlete committee member. As her BWF Tour competition and interview preparation overlapped, she also had a lot of physical difficulties. She was a little sensitive, but Heeyong was very considerate. “I was so grateful to her, and it made me feel like I had to do better,” she said.
Kim So-young (right) and Gong Hee-yong are taking a selfie ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Games badminton team’s open training held at the Jincheon National Team Training Center on the 16th of last month. IS Photo
Now the Kim Kong duo focuses on Hangzhou AG. The strongest competitor in the gold medal challenge is the pair of Chen Qingchen and Jaipan (China), ranked first in the women’s doubles rankings. The Kim Kong duo lost to them in the Korea Open final on July 23, but avenged themselves by winning the Japan Open final a week later with a game score of 2-1. The Kim Kong duo’s overall record is 5 wins and 10 losses.
Kim So-young said, “At the Korea Open, my offense was passive and my defense was too backward, so I lost without even trying. At the Japan Open, when she saw what her opponent was aiming for, she rushed forward boldly, and her defense also had attack in mind. So, she looked back and said, “I think the Chinese players (Lien Qing Chen-Zai Fan) were embarrassed,” and added, “They probably analyzed us too, and since they lost once, they probably have a strong desire to get revenge.” “Because it is a competition being played in the opponent’s home country (China), we will be more careful not to lose momentum,” she said, raising her voice.
Gong Hee-yong also expressed his determination, saying, “I think it will be important to make plays that lead to rallies often and be more aggressive than before. Not only the Chinese group, but all the teams we are playing against are good, so I will concentrate at every moment.”
It is said that the two players have a routine of visiting a local restaurant for a meal after completing the competition schedule and encouraging each other by saying, “Good job.” Kim So-young laughed and said, “Hee-yong is the king of searches for (good restaurants).”
I hope that people in Hangzhou will also smile and resolve the problem. Kim So-young and Gong Hee-yong said in unison, “We will work harder to repay the support of sports fans. We will show good results.”
Reporter Ahn Hee-soo [email protected]
2023-09-20 00:05:56
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