Seo Soo-yeon Secures Gold Medal at Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games
By Ahn Ho-geun | October 25, 2023 | 17:41
In a remarkable achievement, Seo Soo-yeon (37) from the Sports Association for the Disabled Gwangju claimed her first-ever gold medal in an international multi-sports competition at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games.
In the women’s table tennis singles Class 1 and 2 finals held at the Canal Games Gungsu Gym Center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China on the 25th, Seo Soo-yeon defeated China’s Liu Jing with a score of 3-1 (11-4, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6), securing her place at the top of the podium.
Despite being Korea’s ace since the 2014 Incheon Games, Seo Soo-yeon had only managed to win two silver and two bronze medals at the Jakarta-Palembang Games five years ago. This Asian Para Games victory holds special significance as it showcases her talent beyond the international competitions.
In the previous rounds, Seo Soo-yeon displayed her exceptional skills by winning all three heats and the semi-finals without losing a single set. She continued her dominance in the finals as well.
During the first set, Seo Soo-yeon managed to secure a lead by scoring seven consecutive points when the score was tied at 4-4. In the second set, she showcased incredible concentration despite suffering from sudden leg cramps and won with a score of 9-7.
There was a slight setback in the third set, but Seo Soo-yeon regained her momentum in the fourth and ultimately clinched the gold medal, repelling her opponent’s attacks with her exceptional backhand skills.
Seo Soo-yeon had previously represented the national team at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and the Tokyo 2020 Games, but had to settle for silver medals on both occasions. The dominance of China’s table tennis players in the Paralympics made it challenging for her to reach the top of the Asian stage. However, her strong performance during the Rio Games, where she ranked first in the world, led to a perceived sense of unfortunate outcomes.
In an interview after the game, Seo Soo-yeon mentioned facing cramps frequently and how they affected her during the second set, but she managed to overcome them by strategically taking a break. Her ability to collect her thoughts and calm down allowed her to finish the game successfully.
Seo Soo-yeon expressed her overwhelming happiness after winning the gold medal, stating that she had participated in the Asian Para Games multiple times but had never been able to secure the top spot until now. She now feels one step closer to achieving her ultimate goal.
Seo Soo-yeon’s journey to success in table tennis began when she faced despair due to a medical accident. Following a recommended injection treatment in 2004 to correct a condition, she developed nerve and spinal cord problems, which left her paralyzed from the waist down. However, table tennis brought a new sense of vitality into her life. Despite being unfamiliar with the rules initially, Seo Soo-yeon quickly became a world-class player.
Known for her attacking prowess due to her tall height and long arms, Seo Soo-yeon has surpassed her own limits and is now embarking on a new challenge in doubles. She has previously secured a silver medal in doubles at international competitions.
Determined to achieve her goals, Seo Soo-yeon emphasized her desire to win three gold medals in a single competition – a feat she has never accomplished before. She will compete in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles events on the 26th, aiming to secure two or even three gold medals.
In the men’s singles Class 1 league match, Joo Young-dae from the Gyeongnam Disabled Sports Association defeated India’s Madan Jehan Dorap with a score of 3-0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-3), earning the gold medal. This victory marked the first gold medal for the Korean disabled table tennis team, reinforcing their pursuit of the top spot in the event. Nam Ki-won from the Gwangju Disabled Sports Association, who competed in the same class, secured the silver medal with three wins and one loss. Their standings were altered after Joo Young-dae’s victory against Nam Ki-won on the 23rd.
With these outstanding performances, both Seo Soo-yeon and Joo Young-dae have showcased their exceptional skills and determination, bringing pride to the Korean disabled table tennis team.
[Source: Star News]
Reporter Ahn Ho-geun | 2023.10.25 17:41
Seo Soo-yeon stands with a gold medal around her neck in the women’s table tennis singles at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games on the 25th. /Photo=Korea Sports Association for the Disabled Despite the unusual interest, Seo Soo-yeon (37, Sports Class 2, Sports Association for the Disabled Gwangju), had not managed to reach the top of the podium in international multi-sports competitions, having reached the top in Asia for the first time in her life.
Seo Soo-yeon defeated China’s Liu Jing 3-1 (11-4, 11-7, 9-11, 11) in the finals of Class 1 and 2 of the women’s table tennis singles at the 2022 Hangzhou Para Asian Games held at the Canal Games Gungsu Gym Center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China on the 25th. -6) and standing at the top.
Seo Soo-yeon has been Korea’s ace since the 2014 Incheon Games, but had to be content with just two silver and two bronze medals at the Jakarta-Palembang Games five years ago. Although he boasted world-class skills, it was a golden shot that was all the more valuable because it had no connection to international general competitions.
Seo Soo-yeon cruised to victory in the previous three heats and semi-finals without losing any sets. The strong upward trend continued in the finals as well. With the score tied at 4-4 in the first set, he managed to take the lead by scoring 7 points in a row.
With a 9-7 lead in the second set, he won with incredible concentration despite suffering from sudden leg cramps.
Seo Soo-yeon repels her opponent’s attack with her backhand. /Photo= Is it because of the result of the Korean Disabled Sports Council? Although he was somewhat shaken by the 3rd set upset, he regained his momentum in the 4th set and won the gold medal.
Seo Soo-yeon also represented the national team at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and the Tokyo 2020 Games. However, each time, I had to settle for the silver medal. As in the Olympics, China is the strongest table tennis player in the Paralympics, so it was not easy to reach the top of the Asian stage. Nevertheless, as his momentum was good enough to be first in the world during the Rio Games, there was also a perception that it was a particularly unfortunate result.
According to News 1, when we met him in the common broadcasting area (mixed zone) after the game, he said, “I tend to get cramps a lot, but the table was low and my legs were hit each other, so I had cramps during the second set.” He added, “That point was important, so I took a break in the tempo and my legs felt better.” “I collected my thoughts until I calmed down and managed to finish the game well,” he said.
Then he smiled brightly, saying, “I have participated in the Asian Para Games many times, but I still lost the gold, but this time I finally won it. I am so happy that I feel that I one step closer to my wish. goal.”
Seo Soo-yeon became disabled due to a medical accident. In 2004, he visited a hospital to correct his turtle neck, and after receiving a doctor-recommended injection treatment, he developed problems with his nerves and spinal cord and was paralyzed from the waist down. She was a teenage girl with many dreams of becoming a model, but at one point she had to rely on a wheelchair.
Seo Soo-yeon in the finals. /Photo=Korea Sports Association for the Disabled It was table tennis that brought new vitality to Seo Soo-yeon’s life when she was in despair. He was an illiterate table tennis player who didn’t even know the rules, but quickly became a world class player.
Seo Soo-yeon, whose strength in attack comes from her tall height and long arms, has once exceeded her limits and is taking on a new challenge in doubles. In the international competition, the best result was a silver medal in doubles.
Soo-yeon did not hide her desire, saying, “There are still doubles left. I have never won three gold medals in a competition before, so I will try to achieve it for the first time.” Seo Soo-yeon, who will compete in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles on the 26th, will challenge for two and even three gold medals.
Meanwhile, in the men’s singles Class 1 league match held earlier today, Joo Young-dae (Class 1 sports class, Gyeongnam Disabled Sports Association) defeated India’s Madan Jehan Dorap 3-0 (11-7, 11-3 , 11-3 ), finishing the league match 4. He won the gold medal by victory.
It was the first gold medal for the Korean disabled table tennis team, which is aiming for first place in the event. Nam Ki-won (Sports Class 1, Gwangju Disabled Sports Association), who was in the same class, won the silver medal with 3 wins and 1 loss. Their fate changed with the loss (2-3) to Joo Young-dae on the 23rd.
Joo Young-dae smiles at the award ceremony after winning the gold medal. /Photo=Korean Sports Association for the Disabled
<저작권자 © ‘리얼타임 연예스포츠 속보,스타의 모든 것’ 스타뉴스, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지>
#Golden #Smash #years #waiting #Seo #Sooyeon #Aspiring #model #Koreas #strongest #table #tennis #player #stands #tall.. #Joo #Youngdae #golden #항저우 #장애인AG
