Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu won the 銀 for the Paris Paralympics. Expectations collapsed in front of the wall in China

Aug 31, 2024

Yoon Ji-yu and Seo Soo-yeon (from left) lost to the Chinese group in the women's doubles (WD5) final at the 2024 Paris Paralympics at Sudpari Arena4 in Paris, France, in the early morning of the 31st (Korea time). Yoon Ji-yu and Seo Soo-yeon posed with medals and frieze dolls after the ceremony. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Seo Soo-yeon (center) is aiming for an RBI single while watching the ball in the air in the women's double table tennis (WD5) final match against China at the 2024 Paris Paralympics at Sud Paris Arena 4 in Paris, France, early on the 31st (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

'14-year-old ace doubles team' Seo Soo-yeon (38, Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall) and Yoon Ji-yu (24, Seongnam City Hall) won their first silver medal in Korean table tennis at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. He had a 'gold medal hope' but was blocked by the Chinese rival team.

Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu did their best to greet China's Liu Jing-Xue Jian Jo in the women's doubles (WD5 grade) final of the Paralympic Table Tennis at Sudpari Arena 4 in Paris, France, at 4 a.m. on the 31st (7-117-111 11-89-11). As a result, Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu group won a silver medal. It is the second silver medal for the South Korean team at the Paris Paralympics and the first silver medal in table tennis. The first set ended in vain. Both Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu were nervous. He started the set with the first score, but he continued to make mistakes and allowed seven consecutive points. Even Seo Soo-yeon was shaken. Two consecutive serve errors at 1-5 gave up two more points. Yoon Ji-yu pulled the reins of the chase by drawing a score for the first time in a long time with a strong backhand attack. He scored four straight points from 3-10, but the gap was too wide to turn over. Seo Soo-yeon's error came out from 7-10, giving up the first set.

Yoon Ji-yu and Seo Soo-yeon (below the picture) hit the opponent's ball in the women's double table tennis (WD5) final match against China at the 2024 Paris Paralympics at Sud Paris Arena 4 in Paris, France, early on the 31st (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

In the second set, Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu slightly changed their operation. He was aggressive from the beginning. He seemed to take an effect by leading 3-1. By the middle, it was 5-5 on the line. However, he was shaken at the finish. He continued to make mistakes even after leading 7-5, allowing six consecutive points and giving up the set as it was.

In the third set, which was followed by a set score of 0-2, Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu stood out. It's a game that you can't give up easily. Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu pulled together the remaining strength to make up a set at 11-8. If you catch even four sets, you won't know if you win or lose.

Seo Soo-yeon (right side of the top row in the picture) receives an opponent's ball in the women's doubles (WD5) final match against China at the 2024 Paris Paralympics at Sudpari Arena 4 in Paris, France, early on the 31st (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu, who played in the fourth set, continued to push the opponent from the beginning, just like in the second set, looking at the opportunity. However, as the game progressed to the second half, the concentration fell significantly. They also lost the fourth set to China 11-9. As soon as the game ended with a loss, Seo Soo-yeon dropped her racket on the table and exclaimed with deep regret.

Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu became new doubles partners ahead of the Paris Palum Pic. Seo Soo-yeon, a three-time winner of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games for the Disabled, continued to play in the national team and team events with Jiyu, but this is her first time as a doubles partner. We're working together and talking a lot. In terms of grades, we are the top, but we didn't always do that. This time, I'll show you my potential as the winner"I once expressed my determination to participate in the Paris Paralympics.

Yoon Ji-yu and Seo Soo-yeon (from left) lost to the Chinese group in the women's doubles (WD5) final at the 2024 Paris Paralympics at Sudpari Arena4 in Paris, France, in the early morning of the 31st (Korea time). Posing with other medal winners on a solid podium around the neck of the medal. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

This determination was the same for Yoon Ji-yu. In particular, Yoon Ji-yu was determined to achieve her dream of 'winning a gold medal' that she failed to achieve during the previous two Paralympics (2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo). Yoon Ji-yu won the bronze medal in the team event (TT1-3) with Seo Soo-yeon and Lee Mi-kyu at the Rio Games. At the Tokyo Games, she won a silver medal in the team event and a bronze medal in the individual event. However, Yoon Ji-yu's dream did not come true this time. She had to settle for her second Paralympic silver medal in women's doubles.

However, the Paralympics of Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu are still 'present progressive'. This is because there is still a singles match. Seo Soo-yeon will start the singles WS1-2 round of 16 tournaments from the dawn of the 3rd. Yoon Ji-yu will hold a singles WS3 grade round of 16 tournament early on the 2nd. Both Seo Soo-yeon and Yoon Ji-yu are determined to achieve their 「Gold medal dream」 in singles, which they failed to achieve in doubles.

Seo Soo-yeon said, `Before the competition, I thought it would be good to play in the final with Chinese players. It's my first time playing in doubles, and I've made my own plan, but the opponent has done a good job. We should have responded well accordingly, but it's a shame we couldn't." Then "When I made a serve mistake in the first set, I felt frustrated because it didn't go as I thought. I'm so sad. I'm sorry that I didn't do my part"I think we need to prepare more thoroughly for the individual exhibition. Looking at the match table, you can meet Liu Jing in the semifinals today. I want to win and win a gold medal."

Yoon Ji-yu, who wiped her smile off her face probably because of the disappointment of losing the final, said "I came here after seeing the gold medal, and I'm very disappointed" and "I felt like I was one or two points short." Even when I was ahead, I didn't always put in one or two balls. "Now it's an individual match. I'm only looking at one. This is Shejuan who met in doubles today. Only that player needs to analyze well and win. I caught it during the Hangzhou competition. I'll catch you again this time," he said, expressing his determination.

wman@sportschosun.com