China pocketed its third gold in the Olympic badminton
tournament Friday with a triumph over the only non-Chinese pair in
the women's doubles' semi-finals, while South Korea won its first
gold in the men's doubles.
Zhang Jiewen/Yang Wei, top seeds of women's doubles in the
tournament, didn't follow the example of other top seeds and
secured the third gold for China by beating Ra Kyung Min/Lee
KyungWon 15-6, 15-4 in the semi-final.
South Korean Ra/Lee, considered the biggest threat to the
Chinese pair, losing their accuracy of placement and unpenetrable
defense in the match, found it difficult to face the challenge
posed by the Chinese duet whom they've just upset 15-3, 15-3 in the
Japan Open 2004.
"We made good preparations before this match," said Yang Wei,
adding that they'd vowed to conquer all the obstacles before the
Olympics.
In the other semi-final, world champions Gao Ling/Huang Sui beat
No.4 seeds fellow Chinese Wei Yili/Zhao Tingting 15-10, 17-14to
acquire the other final ticket.
Ha Tae Kwon/Kim Dong Moon won the civil war between two South
Korean men's doubles' pairs, beating Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung
15-11, 15-4 at Goudi Badminton Hall.
Without losing a single set, No.3 seeds Ha/Kim went into the
final against unseeded Lee/Yoo, who surprisingly upset No.4, No.5
and No.7 seeds in the previous rounds and entered the final.
Ha/Kim, constantly on the attack, pulled away from their
opponents from 7-7 in the first set, winning 15-11 at last.
The second set continued in the same style and Lee/Yoo seemed to
accept the inevitable result, surrendering their resistance by the
score of 4-15.
"It was a very difficult game and the conditions were not good,"
said Kim who was knocked out of the mixed doubles with his partner
Ra Kyung Min in quarter-finals, conveying his thanks to his
teammates and coach, especially his mother.
Indonesian pair Eng Hian/Flandy Limpele claimed the first medal
for Indonesia in badminton by beating No.5 seeds Jens
Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard 15-13, 15-7 in the bronze medal match of
men's doubles.
In spite of no TV broadcast from Indonesia, Taufik Hidayat, the
charming Indonesian genius, marched unstoppably on his road to win
the Olympic men's singles' championship by beating Boonsak
Ponsanafrom Thailand 15-9, 15-2.
Unseeded Taufik, resurrecting from a long-time slump,
conqueredthe unknown Thai with ease, after making sweet revenges
against his archrivals Wong Choong Hann of Malaysia and Danish
Peter Gade consecutively.
In his best form, Taufik had the strongest belief to clinch the
Olympic championship.
"I will win the gold, no matter it's Soni Dwi or Shon Seung Mo
tomorrow," he claimed.
The other berth of the final was occupied by No.7 seed Shon
Seung Mo, who became the first South Korean to participate in the
Olympic men's singles' final by defeating Soni Dwi Kuncoro from
Indonesia 15-6, 9-15, 15-9.
(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2004)