The Mungyeong Girls’ Middle School badminton team secured the championship in the girls’ middle school division at the 2026 Gyeongbuk School Sports Club Tournament, earning the right to represent the Gyeongbuk region at the upcoming national competition, according to regional reports. The squad achieved the regional title through voluntary, extracurricular practice sessions squeezed into lunch breaks and evenings rather than through a dedicated professional training track.
Building a Regional Powerhouse Through Voluntary Lunchtime Drills
For the students on the Mungyeong Girls’ Middle School roster, formal athletic preparation is limited to roughly two hours of after-school activities per week. Driven entirely by an interest in the sport, the players used their after-school window to learn basic footwork and racket control. As the Gyeongbuk tournament approached, the athletes intensified their schedule by meeting in the school gymnasium during lunch breaks and returning to practice after finishing evening academy lessons.
According to regional coverage from Gyeongbuk Maeil, this performance marks the fourth time the school has reached the top of the Gyeongbuk School Sports Club Tournament, continuing a streak that includes titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The roster comprises eight students across three grade levels: third-graders Kim A-yeon, Chae Hyo-ju, Ji Han-ul, Eom Yu-bin, Shin Ga-hyeon, and Lee Ha-rin, alongside second-grader Eom Seo-hyeon and first-grader Im Yu-jin. Despite the age gaps, the team relied on cohesive teamwork and mutual support during matches.
Institutional Support and Coaching Perspective
Local educational and athletic bodies backed the team’s preparations. The Mungyeong Office of Education and the Mungyeong City Sports Council provided logistical and environmental support, giving the students a stable venue to hone their skills ahead of the regional matches.
Kang Jong-du, the teacher who coached the team, noted that the students’ enthusiasm drove the results. “The students started this activity because they genuinely like badminton, and I am glad it led to such a good outcome,” Kang said, as reported by Gyeongbuk Maeil. He emphasized that the process of building cooperation and earning a sense of accomplishment through sport remains the most valuable aspect for the participants, encouraging them to enjoy the upcoming national tournament without scoreboard pressure.
Next Steps at the National Tournament
With their regional qualification confirmed, the Mungyeong Girls’ Middle School players are turning their focus to the national stage. The team is scheduled to compete against top regional representatives from across South Korea at the National School Sports Club Tournament, which opens on October 24 in Gwangju.
The players expressed excitement about carrying the Gyeongbuk banner into the national bracket. Team members stated through regional interviews that they plan to rely on the routine they built together, supporting one another on the court until the final whistle.
