[Asian Games] Baduk Men and Women National Teams Both Reach Finals... Can They Win Together?

by Park Eugenie

Published 02 Oct.2023 20:26(KST)

The Opponent is China, the 'Go Origin Country'

The Korean Go national team advanced to the finals in both the men's and women's team events at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Their opponents competing for the gold medals are all from China.

On the 2nd, the women's team secured a spot in the semifinals by defeating Hong Kong 3-0 in the women's team semifinals held at the Hangzhou China Qiyuan branch in Zhejiang Province, China.

Kim Eunji 7-dan won by resignation with white after 162 moves against Zhen Ying 2-dan, Kim Chaeyoung 8-dan defeated amateur Li Ruiyi by resignation with white after 144 moves, and Oh Yujin 9-dan also won by resignation with black after 179 moves against Liu Yuxin 2-dan, leaving Korea undefeated.

On the opposite side of the semifinals, China defeated Japan 2-1 to advance to the finals.

In the subsequent men's team semifinals, Korea defeated Japan 5-0.

Shin Jinseo 9-dan defeated Sada Atsushi 7-dan, domestic ranking number two Park Junghwan 9-dan overcame Ichiriki Ryo 9-dan, and Byun Sangil, Shin Minjun, and Kim Myunghoon 9-dans each secured victories against Seki Kotaro, Iyama Yuta, and Shibano Toramaru 9-dans respectively.

The final opponent is China, who advanced by defeating Taiwan 4-1.

The men's team previously defeated China 4-1 in the fourth round of the preliminaries.

After finishing with a disappointing bronze medal in the men's individual event, Korean Go aims to make up for it by winning gold in both the men's and women's team events.

On the third day of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, on the 26th, Park Jeonghwan 9-dan is playing against Taiwan's Lai Chunfu 8-dan in the men's individual Go Group B Round 5.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Korean Go took all three gold medals?men's and women's team events and mixed doubles?at the 2010 Guangzhou Games, when Go was first adopted as an official Asian Games event.