Kim Ga-eun, Key to Women's Team's Pursuit of Second Straight Title: "Trust and Keep It Light"

For the South Korean women's badminton team to cruise smoothly toward their second consecutive Asian Games team title, strong performances from third singles player Kim Ga-eun are essential.

If Kim Ga-eun, stepping up after "sure-win card" first singles player An Se-young and women's doubles world No. 2 Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na, performs her role well, South Korea can wrap up matches early while minimizing physical fatigue.

World No. 12 Kim Ga-eun defeated world No. 38 Wong Ling Ching 2-0 (21-12, 21-18) as the third singles player in the quarterfinals of the women's badminton team event against Malaysia at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at the Ichinomiya City Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, today (September 22).

It was a precious victory secured while the match was tied 1-1 after Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na lost the preceding second doubles match.

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the match, Kim Ga-eun shared her thoughts, saying, "I am so happy to bring victory to the team. Trusting what we have prepared so far, my teammates and I will do well to work through the next matches together."

Regarding stepping onto the court in a tied situation, she said calmly, "The older teammates usually create a 2-0 lead for us most of the time, but I stepped onto the court with a light heart, thinking, 'Things like this can happen once in a while.' Since they usually contribute more wins to the team, it's fine."

Kim Ga-eun also played a decisive role when South Korea won the Uber Cup (BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals).

At the time, she led South Korea to the championship trophy by thoroughly defeating China's key singles player Chen Yufei (No. 4) 2-0.

For South Korea to defend the top spot this time, following the 2023 Hangzhou Games, Kim Ga-eun must once again show the same resilience.

Reflecting on the match, Kim said, "I was worried that my body might be stiff before the match, but once I started playing on the court, things seemed to work out well."

South Korea is currently leading Malaysia 2-1.

If they advance to the semifinals, they will face the winner of the Japan-India match, and they are likely to meet "powerhouse" China in the finals.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.