SHAH ALAM: Seo Seung-jae has been the workhorse for the South Korea team where he continues to play in the men’s and mixed doubles on the Badminton World federation (BWF) tour.
In current specialised era where players only focus on one event due to the hectic schedule, Seung-jae remains an exception and he is currently the reigning world champion in the men’s doubles with Kang Min-hyuk and mixed doubles with Chae Yu-jung.
Thus, having the chance to focus on just one event is a luxury and Seung-jae wants to make the best out of such a rare opportunity at the ongoing Asia Team Championships.
“Playing in just one event is beneficial and an advantage for me and I don’t have to worry about playing the mixed doubles,” said Seung-jae.
“We feel we can win this event as we have a strong team that plays with a lot of responsibility.”
Seung-jae-Min-hyuk secured an easy 21-3, 21-5 win over Yazan Saigh-Mahd Shaikh in South Korea’s 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia to book their last eight berth in Group D at the Setia City Convention Centre yesterday.
South Korea will focus on beating Indonesia in the top-of-the-table clash today where victory will give them easier passage into the semi-finals.
“We had an easy match against Saudi Arabia today but it is important and recover to be prepared against Indonesia in our next match,” added Seung-jae who is ranked world No. 3 in the men’s doubles with Min-hyuk.
“Indonesia are strong competitors and we cannot take them lightly.”
South Korea overcame a strong Indonesian side 3-1 in the quarter-finals of the Hangzhou Asian Games last year and Seung-jae will be hoping for a repeat today.
Seung-jae will return to the BWF tour where will continue his extraordinary efforts and eventually hunt for Olympic honours in the men’s and mixed doubles with Min-hyuk and Yu-jung respectively in Paris later this year.
