Unified Korea carries the hopes of a whole Peninsula and beyond

December 14, 2018
6:33 pm
Other Events

The anticipation is rising in Incheon and far beyond… for on Saturday (at 16.20 GMT+9) fans gathered at the Namdong Gymnasium and those watching on TV screens as well as Live on ITTF social media will be wondering if history is made in Saturday’s Mixed Doubles final at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals.

The two players tasked with rewriting the history books are JANG Woojin of South Korea and CHA Hyo Sim of North Korea. Together they have formed what may have seemed the unlikeliest of Mixed Doubles partnerships.

Formed less than six months ago they tasted success at the first time of asking poignantly at July’s Korea Open. Now back in Korea they are just one step away from adding a magical new chapter to their incredible journey with the chance to claim gold at the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals.

More importantly this is a chance to reinforce bridges between both sides of the border and provide the latest crowning moment of the Unified Korea movement proving that Table Tennis can play its part in positive social change within the Peninsula and beyond.

This is a chance that JANG Woojin and CHA Hyo Sim have handed themselves following Friday’s emotional semi-finals victory over LIM Jonghoon and YANG Haeun incidentally both from South Korea.

Deep into the fifth game and with victory confirmed the cheers of joy ringing around the stadium were palpable for all present.

“To hear the cheer ‘Korea!’ was very meaningful and empowering ” admitted JANG Woojin post-match. “At times I felt goosebumps of excitement running through me. I’m always thankful for the cheers.”

What is certain is that there’ll be plenty more cheers coming their way on Saturday willing them over the line for a greater good.

Formed midway through the 2018 World Table Tennis Championships in April this year the Unified Korea team is an initiative set up and backed by the ITTF together with Sportsmaster.

STAY TUNED!

Live Streaming
Social Updates: Facebook Instagram Twitter Weibo Youtube
News Updates
Media Kit
Photos
Flash Quotes

WINTER: The best decision of my table tennis career

Since December 2024, Sabine WINTER’S career has followed only one direction sharply upwards. The key to this development lies in an extraordinary decision she made at that time: a complete...

From Jeju to Havířov: Eurospins Camp Continues to Unite European and Korean Youth

For the second time, young Europeans aged 13 to 16 are practicing in a joint Eurospins camp with their peers from South Korea. Last December it was in Asia, in...

ETTU celebrates 25 years of partnership with LIEBHERR

The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) proudly marks 25 years of partnership with LIEBHERR, one of the world’s leading technology companies and a long-standing supporter of European table tennis. “For...

Webinar Social Media Conduct for Umpires and Referees attracts strong interest

As part of a new initiative, the ETTU Umpires and Referees Committee hosted a webinar dedicated to social media conduct for match officials, drawing significant interest from across the community....