Jincheon, Korea, August 3, 2026: Korea’s table tennis mixed doubles players Shin Yu-bin and Lim Jong-hoon will take aim at the biggest prize at this year's Asian Games in Japan, reports Yonhap News.
To get to the top of the Asian Games podium, Shin and Lim, No. 1 in the ITTF world rankings, know they will likely have to get past the top Chinese pair of Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin.
"Playing for the country always comes with pressure, but I am supposed to be able to overcome all of that," Lim told reporters during the national team media day at the Jincheon National Training Center.
"It is not a given that we will win a medal, but we will go for a gold medal this time."
Shin added: "It is an honour to be able to represent the country, and we will do our best to bring home the best results possible."
Shin and Lim combined for bronze at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou after losing to Sun and Wang in the semifinals. The South Koreans lost to the same Chinese tandem in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics, though they came away with the bronze medal - South Korea's first Olympic table tennis medal in 12 years.
"In the past, we had trouble defending against them, but we have improved in that area," Lim said.
“Being aggressive is our strength, but it has also caused a lot of unforced errors. We have been able to find opportunities in other areas, while reducing our mistakes.
"It is going to be a difficult tournament with a lot of unpredictable elements. The Chinese players may lose to players from another country, and we could run into some difficulties as well. We are concentrating on limiting those variables."
Having been Lim's partner for over four years, Shin, 22, said she feels quite comfortable playing with the 29-year-old Lim.
"He always puts me at ease," Shin said. "He is a good listener and also teaches me skills like a coach. I am grateful for that.”
Shin said Lim had gifted her a bracelet after they won bronze in Paris. Her idea of a gift for Lim is a little different.
"I would love to present him with a gold medal at the Asian Games," Shin said.
(Yonhap)
