Korean national baduk team aspires for `Again 2010`

"The glory of Guangzhou Asian Games once again."

Eight players of the Korean national baduk team are determined to win the baduk (Go in Japanese) competitions at the 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games of the pre-game for the 2014 Asian Games Incheon. In 2010, Korea won all three baduk gold medals at the Guangzhou Asian Games, but the luck seems to on the China side this year. Korea lost the first place at all four key games this year including the Bailing Cup, LG Cup, Ing Chang-ki Cup, and Chunlan Championship. The Korean national baduk team is determined to create a breakthrough for the Korean baduk.

The national team is consisted of players born after 1993, four men and four women: Na Hyeon (3 dan, age 18), Kang Seung-min (2 dan, 19), Byeon Sang-il (2d, 16) and Lee Dong-hoon (2d, 16), Choi Jeong (3d, 17), Oh Jeong-ah (2d, 20) and Kim Chae-yeong (1 dan, 17) and Oh Yoo-jin (1 dan, 15). A total of 17 players (40 men, 35 women) in 11 countries will join the game at the Yonsei international campus in Songdo, Incheon, and will fight for four gold medals for men`s single, men`s team competition, women`s team and men-women pairs.

China`s team is the strongest. In the men`s team are Tan Xiao (7 dan, age 20), Tang Weixing (5 dan, 20), Mi Yuting (4 dan, 17) and Lian Xiao (4 dan, 19), all of whom are new players and have previously advanced to finals at world games. The players representing Japan are also new faces including Hirata Tomoya (3 dan, age 19) and Motoki Katsuya (2 dan, 18). Taiwan`s players are the nation`s top including Chou Chun hsun (9 dan, age 33) and Chen Shih-yuan 9d (9 dan, 28).

Korean national team coach Park Seung-cheol said, "For three months since April, our players have strengthened competence through joint study at the Korean Baduk Association or playing at actual games and pairs practice. I`m sure they will display their utmost ability."

Korea expects to win gold medals at the women`s team competition and pairs games. Choi Jeong is younger than other players but has a confident spirit. Kim Chae-yeong and Oh Yoo-jin also have strengthened their capabilities.

As a strategic move, Korean national team went through heavy practice since April to find the best pair. Harmony between men and women is very important in pairs team, and Na Hyeon-Choi Jeong, Jang Seung-min-Oh Jeong-ah teams were set up. The final entry for teams will be disclosed Saturday, a day before the game.

There are also expectations for the men`s singles and team competitions. China`s Tan Xiao (5th ranking), Tang Weixing (18th ranking) and Mi Yuting (13th ranking) are within the nation`s top 20 ranks, but Korea is also keeping hopes high for Na Hyeon (15th ranking), Lee Dong-hoon (21st ranking) and Byeon Sang-il (23rd ranking) since the three players have played at the Chinese league and are well aware of Chinese rivals. Lee is in a good condition with six wins and 1 lose at the Euljo League that ended last week.

Head coach Lee Hong-yeol said, "Our goal is to win at least three gold medals. Even if we par with China with three golds, we will add silver medals to rank No. 1 in this game."