Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
Badminton champion bids farewell to nat'l team
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The Beijing Olympic gold medalist Lee Yong-dae, right, and his partner Yoo Yeon-seong display the gold medals they won at the men’s doubles final during the Victor Korea Open 2016 at Seongnam Indoor Stadium in Gyeonggi Province on Sunday. / Yonhap
By Park Jae-hyuk
By Park Jae-hyuk
The world’s No. 1 ranked doubles badminton player Lee Yong-dae celebrated his last match for the country, Sunday, with a gold medal at the Victor Korea Open 2016 held in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, alongside partner Yoo Yeon-seong.
Lee, a favorite among female badminton fans, made his exit from the national team official, although he will continue to play professionally.
“I was determined to leave the national team because I was starting to feel too much pressure representing Korea,” he said after the match. “I felt that being a member of the national team was too consuming physically and mentally.”
Lee, 28, said he would like to spend some time with his parents whom he has seldom seen over the past 14 years due to his focus on training at the National Training Center in Seoul.
He and partner Yoo achieved a come-from-behind victory in their final match together. The duo defeated Chinese pair Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen 2-1. Lee garnered his 43rd Superseries title and the duo has now won two consecutive championships at the Open.
“I am so happy to have won my last international badminton match,” Lee told reporters, showing his appreciation for fans who cheered him on during the game.
The retiring champion made his national team debut in 2003 when he was 15. He won three titles at the World Junior Championships in 2006, including the boy’s doubles with Cho Gun-woo, the mixed doubles with Yoo Hyun-young and the mixed team event. He also garnered his first international title at the Thailand Open with Jung Jae-sung in the men’s doubles the same year.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Lee rose to stardom, capturing the gold in the mixed doubles with Lee Hyo-jung, which was South Korea’s first gold in the event since the 1996 Atlanta Games. His wink during the medal ceremony attracted female fans who dubbed him “Korea’s little brother.”
Lee won the team gold and the men’s doubles silver at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and won three silvers in the men’s doubles at the World Championships in 2007, 2009 and 2014. However, he failed to capture the gold in both 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
At Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Lee said, “I want to give more opportunities to younger players,” announcing his retirement from the national team after being eliminated from the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles.
Lee decided to compete at the Victor Korea Open as his swansong for his partner Yoo Yeon-seong with whom he has held the No. 1 title since Aug. 2014. “Yoo has been my partner for three years and we’ve been ranked No. 1 in the world,” Lee said. “I could rely on having him behind me when I played at the front court and in defense.”
He plans to undergo four weeks of basic military training in November. Lee does not have to perform mandatory military service as his gold medal in Beijing granted him an exemption.
“I will quit playing badminton whenever I lose my speed,” he said. “For now, I think will be able to play until I’m 35.”