◆ 2024 Paris Olympics ◆
He Bingzhao (27, China) rose two places to 7th in the women’s singles world rankings, reflecting the results of the 33rd Paris Summer Olympics in France. This is her highest ranking since 6th place, which she maintained from October 2023 to May 2024.
The silver medal at the Paris Olympics is the best individual performance in a global competition, surpassing the bronze medals at the 24th and 26th World Championships in 2018 and 2021. Even when expanded to all majors, it is the same performance as the runner-up at the 38th Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC) Championships in 2019.
He Bingzhao and An Se-young (22, Samsung Life), who gave up the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, now have a total record of 5 wins and 9 losses. Including the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Super 500 Series Thailand Open and Super 750 Series Japan Open last season, this is a 3-game winning streak in the finals.
Photo enlargement He Bingzhao (right) congratulates An Se-young, who won the gold medal after losing in the women’s singles final of the 33rd Paris Summer Olympics in France. Photo = Provided by Yonhap News
This means that she has never beaten world number one An Se-young in a match where they competed for the top spot. It is disappointing for He Bingzhao, but in many ways, the runner-up finish in the women’s singles at the Paris Olympics is an objectively satisfactory achievement.
However, Lin Dan (41, China), who is considered one of the best badminton players of all time, coldly pointed out the shortcomings of his junior national team player, saying, “He Bingzhao expressed overflowing confidence ahead of the gold medal match, but it seems that she is not ready to take An Se-young’s throne.”
Lin Dan has won the men’s singles in major tournaments 15 times: ▲5 World Championships ▲4 Asian Championships ▲2 Summer Olympics ▲2 Summer Asian Games ▲1 World Youth Championship ▲1 Asian Youth Championship.
Photo enlargement Lin Dan, who is considered one of the best men’s singles badminton players of all time, poses for a commemorative photo with the Eiffel Tower in the background ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, to which he was invited as a VIP. Photo = Provided by AFP = Yonhap News
An Se-young has won three consecutive major tournaments, from the 28th World Championships in 2023 and the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games in China to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Lin Dan criticized, “He Bingzhao played defensive badminton, blindly waiting for the opponent’s mistake. A challenger should not have this kind of mindset.”
This is not to say that He Bing Zhao is inferior to An Se-young in skill, but rather that Lin Dan criticized her, saying, “An Se-young (who had to defend the top spot) had more momentum and was more determined to attack. If He Bing Zhao had better mentality, she would definitely have had a chance to win, but her mentality and way of thinking were too passive.”
“The more difficult the situation, the more you should not hand over the initiative to others, especially when playing against a tough opponent,” said Lin Dan, who advised his juniors, “Determine your own fate. Actively attacking is the best way to solve problems.”
Photo enlargement: He Bingzhao (left) congratulates gold medalist An Se-young at the Paris Olympics awards ceremony. Photo = Courtesy of Yonhap News
Lin Dan said, “Although An Se-young is ahead of He Bing-zhao, the gap between them is not that big, about 0.5 steps. However, because He Bing-zhao played a passive defense, the gap between An Se-young and He Bing-zhao widened in the Paris Olympics. The first attack in the second set was producing good results, but then he started playing conservatively again.”
“(A silver medal is a great achievement, but) it is ultimately a defeat. I hope that He Bingzhao will return to the stage where he can win the global competition again. If he understands this experience well, he will be able to prepare better.” – Men’s Badminton Singles GOAT Lin Dan –
He Bingzhao vs An Seyoung Final Match Record
3 wins, 3 losses
All sets thirteen
84 points scored and 126 points conceded
Goal difference -42
Set average -7
Enlarged photo An Se-young (left) vs. He Bing-jiao, Paris Olympics final. Photo = Courtesy of Yonhap News
2024 Paris Olympics 0-2 loss
2023 Thailand Open 0-2 loss
2023 Japan Open 0-2 loss
Paris Olympics Reflected Women’s Badminton Singles World Rankings
01→01st place Ahn Se-young (South Korea)
02→02nd place Tian Weifei (China)
04→03 Carolina Marin (Spain)
03→04th place Dai Tzu-ying (Taiwan)
06→05th place Akane Yamaguchi (Japan)
05→06 Wang Ziyi (China)
09→07 He Bing Zhao (China)
17→17th place Kim Ga-eun (South Korea)
[강대호 MK스포츠 기자]
2024-08-08 15:33:29
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