'An Se-young absent from final, golden chance to win gold' China cheers as Korea eliminated in Asian Games women's doubles semi-finals... "Avoided world's strongest"

*This content was translated by AI.

This is a massive boost for their rivals. After defending champion South Korea suffered a stunning comeback defeat against Japan and was eliminated from the women's team badminton tournament at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, local Chinese media erupted with expectations of winning gold, celebrating that they would now avoid facing the world's strongest player, An Se-young.

Chinese media outlet 'Zhuba' reported on the 23rd: "Japan defeated South Korea 3-1 in the women's team badminton semi-finals at the Asian Games and advanced to the final." It added, "The Chinese national team will compete for gold against Japan tomorrow."

Sports platform 'Dongchudi', specializing in football and other sports, also reported in detail: "Japan defeated defending champion South Korea 3-1 and reached the women's team badminton final at the Asian Games for the first time in eight years."

Chinese portal 'Sohu.com' announced that "the Chinese national team decisively defeated Indonesia 3-0 and advanced to the final."

Before the semi-final match between South Korea and Japan, China showcased overwhelming performance with Wang Ziyi (2-0 win) in first singles, Liu Xingshu-Tan Ning duo (2-0 win) in first doubles, and Chen Weipei (2-0 win) in second singles, losing not a single game. The media added: "In the final, China will face their long-time rival Japan, who defeated South Korea. Despite Yamaguchi Akane's loss to An Se-young, the Fukushima Yuki-Matsumoto Mayu duo, Miyazaki Tomoka, and Iwanaga Rin-Nakanishi Kie pair secured consecutive victories to achieve a 3-1 comeback win."

With An Se-young, the most formidable obstacle and source of fear for champions, no longer representing South Korea, Chinese fans were swept up in a festive atmosphere. On 'Zhuba's' comment section, local netizens expressed that they now had an excellent opportunity to win the team gold medal.

Chinese fans reacted with comments such as: "Even if we lose to An Se-young, winning other matches is enough. An Se-young cannot carry the team alone," and "South Korea only gains strength when playing against China."

In the women's team badminton semi-finals held at Ichinomiya Municipal Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on this day, South Korea, which was challenging for back-to-back Asian Games titles, suffered a painful comeback defeat with a match score of 1-3 against Japan and concluded the tournament with a bronze medal.

The start was smooth. World No. 1 An Se-young, competing as the first singles player, decisively defeated long-time rival Yamaguchi Akane with a score of 2-1 (21-9, 18-21, 21-11). In the first game, An Se-young dominated her opponent with eight consecutive points. Although she lost the second game after a close contest, she easily won the third game 21-11 to seize control of the match.

However, things collapsed rapidly starting from the second doubles match. The world No. 2 pair of Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee were defeated by Japan's Fukushima Yuki-Matsumoto Mayu duo with a score of 0-2 (15-21, 19-21). They lost momentum after consecutive errors at 10-10 in the first game and failed to maintain a 15-11 lead in the second game, eventually losing after tying at 17-17.

Next, Sim Yu-jin in the third singles match was comprehensively defeated by Japan's promising teenage player Miyazaki Tomoka with a score of 0-2 (15-21, 14-21). Despite leading 10-6 in the first game and holding a three-point advantage early in the second game, Sim Yu-jin lacked stamina and was repeatedly overtaken. The fourth doubles pair of Jeong Na-eun and Kim Hye-jung, who were pushed to the brink, fought hard but ultimately fell to Iwanaga Rin-Nakanishi Kie with a score of 0-2 (20-22, 16-21).

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*This content was translated by AI.