On winning their third title this year, the All England, Seo Seung Jae and Kim Won Ho recalled a significant fact.
It had been 13 years since a Korean men’s doubles pair, Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung, had last won the title. Lee was in the coach’s chair as Seo and Kim broke the 13-year drought.
“It feels more meaningful to win because he was the last Korean to win the title,” said Seo. “Yong Dae has great experience at big tournaments, and he was giving advice around how to play and how to lead the flow of the matches.”
To Kim, that fact was even more personal, for “Jung was coach when I entered the national team, he was fair to all of us, and he has a special place in my heart”.
Everything the Koreans have touched this year has turned to gold, starting with the year’s first tournament, the Malaysia Open. Then followed three finals – of which they won two – and a semifinal, which they lost to compatriots Kang Min Hyuk/Ki Dong Ju.
Apart from the three titles won together, Seo has a fourth – the Thailand Masters, which he took with Jin Yong.
“I’m delighted that I could produce this outcome with Kim. I’ve been fortunate with the partners I’ve had so far,” said Seo, a bit modestly. However, he said, there were areas they still needed to work on. “If we can show our strengths in the beginning of each match, we can improve the outcomes of those matches.”
At the All England they showed the range of their adaptability. In the second round they ran into one of the two pairs to beat them this season – Nur Izzuddin/Goh Sze Fei. This time they shut out the Malaysians in just 36 minutes.
“I want to acknowledge how well they can play, and also focus on my own game. I was trying to avoid what I’m not so comfortable with,” said Kim. “Our ultimate goal would be winning the tournament, but obviously I will be focusing in every game, and within the game, try to focus on each point and communicating with my partner.”
Even while facing great pressure, such as in the semifinal against the fierce attacking play of He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu, there was a relaxed vibe about the Koreans; once they worked their way back in after an early setback, they blunted the Chinese attack.
What has especially worked in their favour is that both are cut from the same cloth, as it were, as gifted players with a great instinctive understanding, backed by solid defence and overall steadiness. Just last season, both were doing double duty, in men’s and mixed. The additional skills developed, and focus now on one discipline, makes them a formidable pair who have announced themselves – early as it is – as favourites for the world title.
“No secrets,” Seo smiled, while talking about their brilliant run so far. “Obviously I have fantastic partners, which creates great synergy. Also a factor is me focusing on one discipline instead of two, so I’ve been able to see the details where I can improve, and that has led to an upgraded version of myself.”
