Incheon: The reigning men’s doubles world champion – Ko Sung-hyun and Shin Baek-choel will not be playing in the men’s doubles event at the Asian Games, but the pair has promised to give their best for Korea in the team competition.
Each country is only eligible to enter two doubles teams in the individual event at the Asian Games and with Lee Yong-dae and Yoo Yeon-seong ranked first and Kim Ki-jung and Kim Sa-rang ranked sixth in the world, Ko-Shin who ranked tenth in the world can only play in the team event.
“We will contribute our best in the team event, and will cheer on our teammates,” said Ko Sung-hyun.
Ko Sung-hyun and Shin Baek-choel defeated world number one pair Lee Yong-dae and Yoo Yeon-seong 22-20 21-23 21-18 in Sunday’s World Championships final in Copenhagen, leaving Lee Yong-dae with his third dissapointment at the world championships final.
“Yeon-seong and I were a little tensed during the final. On the other hand, Sung-hyun and Baek-cheol were more relaxed. We have learned from this experience and will try to play better if we reach the final at Asian Games,” said Lee Yong-dae.
Meanwhile, head coach of the South Korean team was cautioned over competitions in Asian Games.
“To some degree, the Asian Games is more difficult than the world championships, because countries are going to try out their new pairs, and those guys are tough competitors,” said the head coach.
