TURKIYE INT’L – Koreans take 3

The Korean contingent who flew to Istanbul, Turkey, will not come home empty-handed from the International Challenge tournament held this week-end. Unseeded in most categories, the Koreans have scooped 3 titles and one silver medal.

In the men’s singles, Hong Ji Hoon had to work hard to beat Malaysia’s Tan Chun Seang in three hard games while the mixed doubles and men’s doubles were all-Korean – and tight – affairs. There could have been a 4th gold in the women’s doubles, had the youngsters Choi A Reum  / Yoo Hyun Young  converted their lead and the match point they had in hand at 21-19 in the decider, but it was Germany’s Michels/Marinello who took it home in the end.

As for Bulgaria’s Petya Nedelcheva, it was an easy win in the final against former Dane – now representing Greece – Anne Hald Jensen who conceded a walk-over. “She got injured in the semi-final and she couldn’t run yesterday,” said the Bulgarian of her opponent. Nedelcheva, top seed for the event, looks in great shape after her good run in the China Open, and her recent final in Italy. She is now just outside the top 16 in the latest world ranking.

Results:
XD: Cho Gun Woo/ Yoo Hyun Young  (KOR) beat Kim Sa Rang/ Lee So Hee: 23-25, 21-9, 21-19
WS : Petya Nedelcheva (BUL) beat Anne Hald Jensen (GRE): Walkover
MS: Hong Ji Hoon (KOR) beat Tan Chun Seang  (MAS): 22-24, 21-12, 21-16
WD: Sandra Marinello / Birgit Michels (GER) beat Choi A Reum  / Yoo Hyun Young  (KOR) :21-18, 18-21, 24-22
MD: Kim Ki Jung / Kim Sa Rang Kim (KOR) beat Cho Gun Woo / Shin Baek Cheol: 21-17, 16-21, 21-15

Full results HERE