The Chinese, who cried after Marín’s injury, lost the final but won everyone’s hearts
An Se Young, the big favorite, clearly wins the gold medal
MADRID, 5 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
South Korean badminton player An Se-Young is still in a state of grace and this Monday she was proclaimed Olympic champion in Paris 2024 by beating China’s He Bing Jiao in the final of the women’s tournament. She took silver and was also a great protagonist for wearing a pin with the Spanish flag on the Olympic podium, in honour of her rival in the semi-finals and the seriously injured Carolina Marín.
An Se Young was the big favourite, as the current world number 1, and in the final she left no room for surprises by beating China’s He Bing Jiao in two sets, in less than an hour, by 21-13 and 21-16.
The South Korean, world champion in 2023 in Copenhagen, won her first Olympic gold at the age of 22, showing great superiority over a Chinese who tried everything, but was not – as was the case in the semi-finals until Carolina Marín’s injury – successful.
A Carolina who, thanks to her rival, was the star of the podium. And in a gesture of sportsmanship and bringing out the purest Olympic spirit, He Bing Jiao climbed to the second step accompanied by that pin, winning the hearts of all those present and the world of sport.
The bronze medal went to Indonesian Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, who had no match to play for. She was unable to compete due to an injury in the semi-finals of the Spaniard, who was aiming for the gold medal but left that ticket free for the Chinese and the bronze guaranteed for the Wonogiri native, who lost her semi-final against An Se Young in three sets.