ACOG - News - IBM

(1 August 1996; Day 13)

PARK Retires on High Note, Wins Second Olympic Badminton Medal

The inaugural Olympic mixed doubles gold medal in the Centennial Olympic Games was what Korea's PARK Joo-Bong wanted for his swan song, his final competitive appearance.

PARK, 31, was all set to retire after winning the gold medal in men's doubles at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, but the thought of an additional medal kept him playing the international circuit. This time, he says, he's ready to retire.

With his mixed doubles partner, RA Kyung Min, he achieved his goal of winning a medal, though not the gold. Together, they won the silver medal in the first-ever mixed doubles Olympic event, losing 15-13, 4-15, 12-15 to fellow Koreans KIM Dong Moon and GIL Young Ah.

"When we Koreans won over China in the semifinals, I was as happy as if I had won the gold," said PARK. "I was proud because I knew in the finals Koreans would be playing Koreans."

PARK and RA never allowed KIM and GIL to gain the lead in the first game, though the game was tied once, at 4-4. KIM and GIL staved off match point at 9-14 and closed to within one point before PARK and RA put the game away.

In the second game, KIM and GIL came out with a vengeance. Though PARK and RA scored the first point, they never held the lead after that.

PARK and RA held the lead throughout the majority of the third game after surpassing KIM and GIL at 5-3. PARK and RA built their lead to 10-5 at one point. KIM and GIL overtook their fellow Koreans at 12-11 and held on to win.

"I have always respected PARK Joo-Bong because he is a very perfect player and a very strong player," said KIM after the match.

Prior to the medal, PARK and RA met with much success in other tournaments, winning the Japan Open, the Swedish Open, the All-England tournament and the Korean Open. Their only previous matchup with KIM and GIL was in the finals of the Japan Open, which PARK and RA won. Since PARK came back to the Grand Prix circuit in 1995, he has won five of the six Grand Prix tournaments he has entered with RA.

While PARK will not return to competition, opting to concentrate on his teaching, 19-year-old RA is almost sure to be a major force in badminton for years to come. RA is Korea's third-ranked women's singles player as well as a top mixed doubles player.

In addition to being RA's mixed doubles partner, PARK is also her personal coach. He said he was more disappointed for her that they did not win the gold medal than he was for himself.

"In winning the silver, I feel no regrets," PARK said, "but I feel regret for my partner, RA Kyung Min, that she could not win the gold medal today."

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Deana A.G. Monahan.


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