LONDON OLYMPICS – Lee Yong Dae gets a new partner

Beijing Olympic gold medallist Lee Yong Dae has been given a new partner with whom to seek his second gold medal at the London Games in 2012, by the name of Ha Jung Eun. The twenty-three-year-old doubles player, who was formerly pairing Ko Sung Hyun, is seen by head coach Sung as Lee’s best choice to grab a new medal during the next Olympiad. Even though the Korean prodigy has voiced his desire several times recently to remain with the men’s doubles field only, his coaches have decided to have him play mixed doubles again after his great run in the Swiss Open, where he was a finalist in men’s doubles and semi-finalist in mixed doubles.

It is a difficult choice, however, as Lee Yong Dae recovered only a few months ago from a severe elbow injury and to prevent any physical pain in the future, the Korean star will probably reduce his tournament rate during the Olympic qualification period.

Lee Yong Dae and Ha Jung Eun have some experience together that extends back before last week.  They were Asian Junior Champions together in 2005 and runners-up at the Korean nationals the same year.  They also had a brief but unsuccessful reunion in late 2007, after which Lee began playing regularly with Lee Hyo Jung.

Source: Yonhap News