Women's Table Tennis 'Hope'Yoon Ji-yu succeeded in going to the singles final, and tried ping pong for the second time

Sep 06, 2024

Yoon Ji-yu shouts fighting against world No. 4 Carlota Ratchani in the women's table tennis singles semifinal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics at South Paris Arena 4 in Paris, France on the afternoon of the 6th (Korea time). Yoon Ji-yu defeated Rachigani to reach the final. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Yoon Ji-yu (24, Seongnam City Hall), the 「Hope" of Korean table tennis for the disabled, will start the second gold hunt for the table tennis team at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

World No. 1 Yun Ji-yu defeated Italy's world No. 4 Carlota Rachigani with a set score of 3-1 (11-7, 13-11.7-11, 11-4) in the semifinals of the Paralympic Table Tennis Women's Singles (Sports Grade WS3) held at Arena 4 in South Paris, France on the afternoon of the 6th (Korea time).

As a result, Yoon Ji-yu secured at least a silver medal and aimed for her second gold medal in table tennis at the Paralympics. In Korean table tennis, Kim Ki-tae (26, Seoul Metropolitan Government) of the men's singles won the gold medal at the dawn of the day, giving the Korean team a total of 11 medals, including one gold, two silver, and eight bronze medals. Yoon Ji-yu's final match will be held at 3:15 a.m. on the 7th. His opponent is Andela Muzinic Vincetić of Croatia, who is ranked third.

Yoon Ji-yu (above the photo) is backhanding the ball against world No. 4 Carlota Ratchani in the women's table tennis singles semifinals of the 2024 Paris Paralympics at South Paris Arena 4 in Paris, France on the afternoon of the 6th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Yoon Ji-yu led the game at his pace from the beginning. It was a method of stably receiving Rachigani's strong serve and then sharply counterattacking. Yoon Ji-yu, who won the first set 11-7, competed fiercely in the second set.

Rachigani focused on the left side of right-handed Yoon Ji-yu's table. In the end, Yoon Ji-yu allowed two points at 10-8 to enter the deuce. At 11-11, Yoon Ji-yu won the backhand drive showdown. Rachigani, who was exhausted, knelt down, committing a serve mistake.

Yoon Ji-yu, who led 2-0 in the set score, made consecutive mistakes at the last minute after a close game after the middle of the third set and gave up a set. Still a favorable situation. Yoon Ji-yu firmly finished the fourth set after holding her mind together. It was the easiest set win of the match.

Yoon Ji-yu is facing world No. 4 Carlota Ratchani in the women's table tennis singles semifinals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics at South Paris Arena 4 in Paris, France on the afternoon of the 6th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Yoon Ji-yu, who made it to the final, is fortunate to win. It's my third Paralympic Games, and I feel really good to be in the singles final for the first time in a long time. Yoon Ji-yu won a silver medal in the table tennis women's doubles (WD5 grade) held on August 31, but she did not smile well at the awards ceremony with a firm expression. It was because I was so sorry to lose the gold medal match. The desire to win is like an active volcano.

Yoon Ji-yu developed a lower leg disorder at 28 months of age due to a vascular deformity. At the age of 10, I encountered table tennis at a welfare center for the disabled, and my talent was quickly revealed. Only two years after starting table tennis, there were few players who could match on the domestic stage. Yoon Ji-yu, who won a team bronze medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics at the age of 16, won one silver and one bronze medal at the 20202 Tokyo Paralympics. There is no Paralympic gold medal yet. This is a golden opportunity.

wman@sportschosun.com