One name was missing from the Korean badminton team on its way to Qingdao, China. It is Seung-jae Seo, who is ranked No. 1 in the world in men’s doubles and was one of the most weighty cards in the current national team power table. The news of non-participation, which was confirmed a day or two before the competition, left quite a bit of disappointment on the part of fans. However, accepting this decision only as a ‘power leak’ or ‘a lightning strike’ may be an interpretation that does not fully reflect the current position of Korean badminton.
The key to this choice is simple. The judgment is that a player’s next 10 years are more important than the current game.
Seo Seung-jae is more than just a doubles player. He is a player who has already been proven on the world stage with his unique left-handed angle, strong back-end attack, and ability to read the flow of the game. The doubles team formed with Kim Won-ho has achieved the most stable performance in international competitions in recent years, including winning the Malaysia Open. The record of 11 wins in a single season is a number that is difficult to easily repeat, even in both singles and doubles.
It is clear why Seo Seung-jae could not participate in the Asian Men’s and Women’s Team Badminton Championships. This is a left shoulder injury that occurred during the Malaysia Open. Training was possible, but it was still a burden to withstand ‘competition-level intensity.’ I was able to endure the pain and run, but no one could guarantee what the long-term consequences of that choice would be.
The words of an official from the Korea Badminton Association most accurately summarize this decision.
“The player’s health is more important than winning this tournament or qualifying for the Thomas Cup.”
This one sentence is also a signal that Korean badminton has changed from before. In the past, there was a time when participation in the competition itself was prioritized over the player’s condition under the name of the ‘national team’. But it’s different now. Although one game can change the mood of the entire team due to the nature of team competition, the association and coaching staff accepted Seo Seung-jae’s absence. The fact that the process did not take a day or two to worry about only adds to the weight of this decision.
In particular, in this tournament, one can secure the right to participate in the Thomas Cup just by advancing to the semifinals. In other words, the absence of Seo Seung-jae did not mean that ‘the right to participate itself was shaken.’ Because of this cool-headed judgment, I was able to reach a conclusion based on standards rather than emotions.
Of course, there are practical concerns as well. With Seo Seung-jae missing, Kim Won-ho’s partner issue inevitably surfaced. Several cards are mentioned, including Kang Min-hyuk and Na Seong-seung, who worked together in the past. It is difficult to expect perfect synergy in a short period of time. However, the group exhibition is not a stage where only ‘perfect combinations’ are tested.
Rather, these competitions can be a test bed to check the player base and check their ability to respond in crisis situations. Not only to Kim Won-ho, but also to the entire national team. If the reality of the international stage is that not every game can be played with a 100-point combination, the current gap may be a process of experiencing in advance a situation that will inevitably be encountered someday.
The more important schedule for Seo Seung-jae has already been decided. The All England Open is held in early March. It is a competition that every badminton player knows and can never take lightly in their career. It is a stage that connects ranking points, conditions, and the overall flow of the season.
At this point, participating in team competitions may seem like a ‘responsible choice’ in the short term, but in the long term, it can be an irreversible risk. Shoulder injuries are especially fatal to doubles players. Once it’s messed up, it may take several months to recover. So this decision is closer to management rather than giving up.
Another noteworthy scene in this national team is that Ahn Se-young’s participation and Seo Seung-jae’s absence occurred at the same time. Even if you are the ‘No. 1 player in the world,’ your judgment will vary depending on your physical condition and situation. And acknowledging those differences is a truly advanced system.
For one side, it may be best to compete, and for the other, rest may be best. What is important is not the name value but the status. In that this standard has not been shaken, this decision shows that Korean badminton has matured to a higher level.
Seo Seung-jae’s absence from the Asian Men’s and Women’s Team Championships is not recorded. It is not even written down on the report card. However, when you look back a few years from now, there is a good chance that you will be remembered by saying, “I took a break then and am still on top of the world.”
Winning the team event and qualifications are also important. But in the end, all those goals only have meaning when the player is healthy and on the court. This choice is an example that once again confirms that obvious fact.
Although Seo Seung-jae was missing, Korean badminton did not retreat. Rather, I chose to take a longer breath. And this choice seems much wiser than you might think.
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