26 Jul 2025

Asian badminton heavyweights tussle at top of medal table

MÜLHEIM AN DER RUHR – The badminton medal race at the Rhine‑Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games went down to the wire.

Under the bright lights and mounting tension at Westenergie Sporthalle on Saturday, Lee Jongmin and Jin Yong (pictured below) of the Republic of Korea rose to the moment, toppling China’s Cui He Chen and Peng Jian Qin in the men’s doubles final to claim their nation’s only gold in the sport at these Games.

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“China is always a difficult opponent for us to play against,” gold medallist Lee told the FISU Games News Service, after he and Jin had clinched a 15‑10, 15‑10 victory over the Chinese duo.

“They have a very large pool of athletes and they are all very talented. In the beginning, when we first faced China, I was a little jittery and worried.

“But my partner has more experience facing China, so I tried to follow his lead. As time progressed, I was able to calm my nerves and concentrate.”

That final rally reshaped the story at the top of the sport’s medals table at the Rhine-Ruhr Games. China, pushing for glory, were denied, and left level with Chinese Taipei, with two golds apiece.

But with three silvers to China’s one, it was Chinese Taipei who edged one of the sport’s fiercest of rivalries to finish on top.

Korea’s golden end before home Games

The win gave Rep. Korea its first badminton gold at these Games, sealing the nation’s fourth place overall on the badminton standings, with Thailand holding firm in third.

“I’m happy we were able to get the win that allowed the last badminton competition to end with us on top,” Lee said.

“Hopefully, our people’s interest in badminton will carry on over to the next World University Games which we host in Chungcheong in 2027, and hopefully we’ll do well.”

The mindset behind the Korean pair’s decisive win was straightforward.

“Every time we face China, I tell myself they are strong opponents, so we have to really be on our toes throughout and try not to lose concentration until the end of the match,” Jin said.

“I prepared very well and my partner did very well to support me as well, and we believe that our partnership and teamwork got better and better as the game progressed.”

Dejection and delight

Across the net, the silver medallists wrestled with the weight of expectation.

“It’s quite unsatisfying for the Chinese team,” Peng said after their defeat. “(That’s) because the Chinese team is always looking for the best, looking to be the number one, for the gold medal.”

In the stands, pride and relief mixed as the Korean delegation watched the drama unfold.

“I’m so happy that I was able to be here to watch our athletes win the gold medal in what was the last match of the badminton tournament of these Games,” said Jisuk Chang, the head of the Korean delegation.

“I know that before the match, they were very nervous and felt that they had the responsibility to give it their best and leave (with) no regrets.

“I think they did, and they did very well.”

Thai message

Elsewhere, another team quietly celebrated their own place in the standings.

“It’s good to have more medals than South Korea,” said Peeratchai Sukphun (THA), a joint bronze medallist with his men’s doubles partner Pakkapon Teeraratsakul (THA), with Chinese pair Liao Pin Yi and Zhang Le Jian also picking up a medal of the same colour.

"I am proud we did better than them overall,” Sukphun said.

FGNS ag/pp/mb