Spanish Para: Sooyoung So Good

Sooyoung Yu proved as youthful as his name, as he and partner Hyun Ah Kwon endured a 50-minute test to see off WH1-WH2 top seeds Choi Jung Man/Lee Sun Ae 21-15 20-22 22-20 to collect their Spanish Para Badminton International 2023 final pass. In another surprise, the Korean also defeated Chan Ho Yuen Daniel 11-21 24-22 22-11 in the WH2 quarterfinal.

“I’m not aiming to charm anyone, I’m here to win,” said Yu following his victory over Chan.

“I woke up feeling confident. My coach suggested some image training – imagine what it would be like to play Chan. I didn’t think about losing, I went in with a winning feeling. I wasn’t nervous, I had feelings of competence inside me.”

Yu (left) and Kwon are through to the WH1-WH2 mixed doubles final.

Yu lost his singles semifinal 21-18 18-21 13-21 to senior compatriot Kim Jungjun but will contest the mixed doubles title with Kwon against Italian-Peruvian duo Yuri Ferrigno/Pilar Jaurequi Cancino.

“I usually eat some tasty Korean food, but I’ve had enough this week. I will seek something else before my match,” he laughed.

This will be their second encounter, with the head-to-head 1-0 in favour of Ferrigno/Jauregui.

Old Partnerships Renewed

Some habits die hard, and the same can be said about on-court partnerships.

Daiki Kajiwara/Hiroshi Murayama have revived their partnership for good and firmly cemented their status as a worthy pair sealing a win over No.4 seeds Choi/Kim 21-18 21-19.

The pair split in 2020, with Kajiwara going on to form a partnership with Keita Nishimura, but are now back together for the start of the Para badminton season.

“It’s a secret why we are back together,” joked Murayama post his doubles victory.

“We are a great match on court. The key is our communication. We work hard and are dedicated. Now our goal is to reach the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. I’m not sure how I’ll sleep before the final, I’m so excited.”

Murayama was also the victor in his WH1 singles match, ousting reigning world champion Thomas Wandschneider for his second finals spot.

“I won because I’m younger,” he laughed.

Murayama (tight) and Kajiwara hunting success together again.

Pilar of Strength

Jauregui will also contest two finals in Vitoria-Gasteiz, hoping to add to her 16-gold medal tally (six in women’s singles, five each in women’s and mixed doubles).

The Peruvian will challenge Yuma Yamazaki, an opponent she knows well, for the WH2 women’s singles crown. The world champion is 6-1 down in the head-to-head.

→ Results (Day 6)

→ Order of play (Day 7)

 

Olympic and Paralympic News

‘There’s Much More in Our Tank’

‘There’s Much More in Our Tank’

1 March 2024
Tai Tzu Ying, The Second Coming

Tai Tzu Ying, The Second Coming

29 February 2024
Take Two, with New Mates

Take Two, with New Mates

15 February 2024
Badminton Venue for Olympics and Paralympics Inaugurated

Badminton Venue for Olympics and Paralympics Inaugurated

13 February 2024
Kang & Seo: Showcasing Winning Ability

Kang & Seo: Showcasing Winning Ability

12 February 2024
Paris Dreaming

Paris Dreaming

8 February 2024
Sprint Begins

Sprint Begins

7 February 2024
Malaysia Open: ‘Anything is Possible’

Malaysia Open: ‘Anything is Possible’

10 January 2024
In the League of Greats

In the League of Greats

7 January 2024
Malaysian Duo Look to Build on Gains from Last Season

Malaysian Duo Look to Build on Gains from Last Season

6 January 2024
Game for Friendly Fight

Game for Friendly Fight

5 January 2024
Gilmour: Grit and Grace on the Road to Paris 2024

Gilmour: Grit and Grace on the Road to Paris 2024

4 January 2024
Season Preview: Towards Paris 2024

Season Preview: Towards Paris 2024

2 January 2024
Dubai Para: ‘My Shots Were Perfect’

Dubai Para: ‘My Shots Were Perfect’

13 December 2023
Dubai Para: Monteiro Focused on Meticulous Planning

Dubai Para: Monteiro Focused on Meticulous Planning

12 December 2023
BWF Presents Super Smash Squad: Unleashing Badminton Heroes

BWF Presents Super Smash Squad: Unleashing Badminton Heroes

25 October 2023
Naraoka, An Se Young Lead Race to Paris

Naraoka, An Se Young Lead Race to Paris

4 August 2023
Paris 2024: With a Year to Go, Festive Spirit Pervades

Paris 2024: With a Year to Go, Festive Spirit Pervades

26 July 2023
Badminton Lets Pu Gui Yu Enjoy the World

Badminton Lets Pu Gui Yu Enjoy the World

20 July 2023
Two Olympic Champs Aiding Weng’s Growth

Two Olympic Champs Aiding Weng’s Growth

28 June 2023
Canada Para: Bethell Extends Dominance Over Bhagat

Canada Para: Bethell Extends Dominance Over Bhagat

19 June 2023
Thai Para: Daily Discussions Lead to Gold

Thai Para: Daily Discussions Lead to Gold

15 May 2023
Thai Para: Indonesia, Malaysia Halt China’s Domination

Thai Para: Indonesia, Malaysia Halt China’s Domination

14 May 2023
Thai Para: Overcoming the Racket

Thai Para: Overcoming the Racket

13 May 2023
Thai Para: ‘I Got Tired of Losing’

Thai Para: ‘I Got Tired of Losing’

12 May 2023
Thai Para: It’s Looking Up for Krajewski

Thai Para: It’s Looking Up for Krajewski

11 May 2023
The Bell Sounds for Paris 2024

The Bell Sounds for Paris 2024

1 May 2023
French Open 2024 to be Played at Paris 2024 Venue; Rescheduled to March

French Open 2024 to be Played at Paris 2024 Venue; Rescheduled to...

27 April 2023
Registration Deadline for Single Tickets Approaches

Registration Deadline for Single Tickets Approaches

15 April 2023
Spanish Para: Bethell Brings it Home for the Team

Spanish Para: Bethell Brings it Home for the Team

27 February 2023
Spanish Para: Double Winner Kajiwara Keeping it Fun

Spanish Para: Double Winner Kajiwara Keeping it Fun

27 February 2023
Spanish Para: My Time to Shine, Enthuses Ikhtiar

Spanish Para: My Time to Shine, Enthuses Ikhtiar

26 February 2023
Spanish Para: ‘Anyone’s Playing Field’

Spanish Para: ‘Anyone’s Playing Field’

25 February 2023
Spanish Para: It’s All Smiles for Loquette

Spanish Para: It’s All Smiles for Loquette

24 February 2023
Spanish Para: Jones-Barnes Spreading the Joy of Badminton

Spanish Para: Jones-Barnes Spreading the Joy of Badminton

23 February 2023
Spanish Para: Patience Key for Self Motivator Bunsun

Spanish Para: Patience Key for Self Motivator Bunsun

23 February 2023
Spanish Para: ‘This One’s For You, Bello’

Spanish Para: ‘This One’s For You, Bello’

22 February 2023
Spanish Para: New Season Brings New Faces

Spanish Para: New Season Brings New Faces

21 February 2023
Para Shuttlers’ Road to Paris Begins in Spain

Para Shuttlers’ Road to Paris Begins in Spain

18 February 2023
Wandschneider/Hellman Chasing Fresh Records

Wandschneider/Hellman Chasing Fresh Records

4 January 2023
‘Extraordinary Year’ for Dual Paralympian Mathez

‘Extraordinary Year’ for Dual Paralympian Mathez

23 December 2022
Ticketing Opens for Paris 2024

Ticketing Opens for Paris 2024

13 December 2022
Para Badminton Events for 2023 Confirmed, Paris 2024 Journey Begins

Para Badminton Events for 2023 Confirmed, Paris 2024 Journey Begins

26 November 2022
‘France in Good Position to be Top Five in World’

‘France in Good Position to be Top Five in World’

17 November 2022
Schedule Announced as Two-Year Countdown to Paris 2024 Begins

Schedule Announced as Two-Year Countdown to Paris 2024 Begins

28 July 2022