(By Neha Aggarwal)

Mixed concerns for Korea Republic: Jeoung Youngsik injured; will Kim Minseok prove himself?

The afternoon session for Korea Republic on Thursday,13th April 2017, at Seamaster 2017 ITTF-Asian Championships in Wuxi was a mixed emotional one. On one hand it was sheer disappointment as their star player Jeoung Youngsik pulled out due to a wrist injury, but on the other hand, Kim Minseok brought new hopes as he progressed to the round of 64 after a disappointing form in the recent years.

Jeoung Youngsik Injured

Scheduled to play his round of 128 match against Mukhammed Akhmedzhanov of Kyrgyzstan at 2:00pm local time, Jeoung Youngsik disappointed his fans around the globe as he pulled out of the tournament due to a wrist injury.

“I injured my wrist two weeks ago when I was training. I really want to compete here for the Asian Championships, but now it is difficult for me. I hope to recover within the next month and come back to the competition at the World Championships.”- Jeoung Youngsik

Even though he did not play the quarter finals and the semi finals in then men’s team event, he was part of the final match of the men’s team event against China. Jeoung Youngsik played at the third position and lost to Xu Xin in straight games (9-11, 6-11, 10-12).

Now the focus for him will be recovery as the most awaited event of the year, the World Table Tennis Championship is just six weeks away, scheduled from 29th May- 5th June 2017.

Will Kim Minseok prove himself?

In the men’s singles round of 128, Korea Republic’s Kim Minseok beat DPR Korea’s Pak Sin Hyok in five games (8-11, 11-1, 11-6, 10-12, 11-7) to progress to the round of 64 where he will play against Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon of Thailand at 9:25pm local time.

Despite being unranked at the international charts due to lack of international play, Pak Sin Hyok has been proving himself as a dominant force from DPR Korea as he was the runner up in Men’s Singles at 2015 ITTF World Tour Pyongyang Open.

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