Just one step to winning the competition for the first time
The menS team failed to advance to the finals.
[서울=뉴시스] Reporter Choi dong-jun = Ahn Se-young is celebrating after winning against Thailand’s Ratchanon Inthanon in the women’s singles semifinals of the World badminton federation World tour Super 750 India Open held in New Delhi,India on the 17th (local time).
Ahn Se-young competes with China’s Wang Ziyi for the championship trophy. (Photo = Provided by Korea Badminton Association) 2026.01.18. [email protected] *Resale and database prohibited
[서울=뉴시스]Reporter Park Yoon-seo = The women’s badminton team continued its smooth sailing without sending ace Ahn Se-young (Samsung Life Insurance) to the game. Successfully advanced to the finals of the 2026 Asian Men’s and Women’s Team Badminton Championships.
The women’s badminton team defeated Indonesia with a match score of 3-1 in the semifinals of the tournament held in Qingdao, China on the 7th.
The women’s national team, which defeated Malaysia 3-0 in the quarterfinals the previous day and won the right to participate in the World Women’s Team Championship (Uber Cup), did not include Ahn Se-young, the world’s No. 1 women’s singles player, in its roster, but still showed a strong performance.
In the first match of the women’s singles, Kim Ga-eun (Samsung Life Insurance, world No. 17) defeated Talitha ramadani Wiriyawan (world No. 67) 2-0 (21-5 21-4) to take the lead.
The pair of Baek Hana (Incheon International Airport) and Kim Hye-jung (Samsung Life Insurance), who participated in the 2nd match women’s doubles, also defeated the world’s 36th ranked Rachel Alessia rose and Feby Setianingrum pair 2-0 (21-14 21-10).
Although Park Ga-eun (Gimcheon City Hall, ranked 70th in the world), who played in the 3-match women’s singles, lost 0-2 (14-21 13-21) to Ni Kadek Dinda Amartya Pratiwi (ranked 77th in the world), the pair of seojin Lee (Incheon International Airport) and Yeonwoo Lee (Samsung Life Insurance) defeated world ranked 90th Amalia Chahaya Pratiwi-Siti in the 4-match women’s doubles. They defeated Fadia Silva and Ramadapanti 2-0 (21-19 21-19) to advance to the finals.
Korea will compete with China for the championship in the final on the 8th.
The women’s national team, which finished second in the 2020 and 2022 competitions, is aiming for its first win.
![[인천공항=뉴시스] Reporter Hwang Jun-seon = Kim Won-ho, who won the 2025 Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Super 750 Men's Doubles held in France, returned to Korea through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the afternoon of the 28th and is being interviewed by reporters. 2025.10.28. hwang@newsis.com](https://img1.newsis.com/2025/10/28/NISI20251028_0021033990_web.jpg?rnd=20251028183609)
Korean Badminton’s Mixed Fortunes: Doubles Dominance,Singles Struggles in BWF World tour
SEOUL,South Korea – The roar of the crowd might have been muted,but the triumphant return of Korean men’s doubles champions from the 2025 Badminton World federation (BWF) World Tour Super 750 in France offered a glimmer of hope for national badminton enthusiasts. However, the men’s national team’s journey ended in a heartbreaking semifinal defeat, highlighting a stark contrast in fortunes between the doubles and singles disciplines.
Kim Won-ho, a familiar face to those who follow the international badminton circuit, touched down at Incheon International Airport on October 28, 2025, carrying the prestigious Super 750 title. His victory, alongside his partner, signifies a significant achievement in a sport were precision, power, and partnership are paramount – much like the chemistry required between a quarterback and wide receiver in American football.
the men’s national team, however, experienced the sting of a comeback loss in their semifinal clash against China, ultimately falling 2-3.This outcome mirrors the emotional rollercoaster fans often experience during a close playoff series in the NBA or NFL, where momentum can shift in an instant.
In the crucial semifinal matches, Taebin Yoo, ranked 74th globally, showcased resilience by defeating China’s Wang Zhengxing (world no. 30) in a hard-fought three-game thriller (21-19, 16-21, 21-13). This victory was followed by a commanding performance from the men’s doubles pair, Wonho Kim and Jin Yong, ranked 154th. They dispatched their Chinese opponents, He jiting and Ren xingyu (also ranked 154th), with a decisive 2-0 victory (21-15, 21-17), igniting optimism for a finals berth.
Yet,the tide turned. Choi Ji-hoon, ranked 109th, couldn’t overcome the challenge posed by China’s Hu Je-an (world No. 59), losing his singles match 0-2 (13-21, 19-21).The subsequent men’s doubles match saw Dong-ju Ki and Song-hyeon Cho fall 0-2 (15-21, 14-21) to China’s Jun-ting Chun and Jun-rong Ryu, leveling the overall match score and setting the stage for a dramatic decider.
The deciding fifth match proved to be the undoing of the Korean men’s team. Cho Hyun-woo, ranked a modest 217th, faced a significant uphill battle against China’s Dong Tianyao, ranked 79th. Despite a spirited effort,Cho was defeated 0-2 (6-21,19-21),sealing the semifinal exit.
This semifinal finish marks the fourth time the Korean men’s team has reached this stage in this particular competition, a testament to their consistent presence but also a frustrating plateau. While reaching the semifinals secured their qualification for the prestigious World Men’s Team Championship (Thomas Cup), the taste of victory remains elusive.
The contrasting performances between the dominant doubles pair and the struggling singles contingent raise pertinent questions for the future of Korean men’s badminton. Is the depth of talent in singles not as robust as in doubles? Are training methodologies or player development strategies in need of re-evaluation? These are critical areas for coaches and administrators to scrutinize, much like a baseball team analyzing its pitching rotation versus its hitting lineup.
Potential Areas for Further Examination:
- Singles Player Development: A deeper dive into the training regimens and competitive schedules of Korean men’s singles players could reveal areas for betterment. Are they getting enough high-level international exposure?
- Coaching Strategies: Examining the coaching philosophies and tactical approaches employed for singles players versus doubles teams might offer insights into the disparity.
- Mental Fortitude: The ability to close out tight matches, especially in the deciding games, is crucial. Exploring sports psychology resources and their integration into training could be beneficial.
- International Competition Analysis: A comparative study of the training and competitive environments of top badminton nations like China and Japan could highlight best practices that Korea might adopt.
While the Super 750 title brings national pride,the semifinal exit serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. For fans who
