Australia’s Karono Karono, who is based in Sydney, is the only player in tomorrow’s finals who isn’t from Korea. He got there the hard way, coming back from 10-4 down in the third game of a gruelling semifinal against Kim Dong Hun.
The match started tightly, with Karono taking a close opening game 24-22. Kim hit back in the second, running away with it 21-14 to force a decider. In the third, Kim built a 10-4 lead and looked to be pulling clear. Karono dug deep, clawed his way back into the game, and ground out a 21-17 win to take the match 24-22, 14-21, 21-17.
His plan was to stay patient. “I felt the court was a bit slippery, so I just wanted to stay calm and play safe,” he said, explaining that he wanted to keep his movement under control and his body balanced. After such a demanding match, his focus now turns to recovery. “I feel really happy to make a final, so I will prepare for the final and make sure I get more rest and get my body fit.”
He will face Choi Pyeong Gang (KOR) tomorrow.
Karono’s win came on a day when Oceania’s other hopes ended. Michael Owen and Nozomi Shimizu bowed out of the mixed doubles in the semifinals against Korea’s Park Seung Min and Yeon Seo Yeon. Yeon, a two-time Asia Junior Championships silver medallist in the women’s doubles, brought experience to the court. Owen and Shimizu struggled to find their way into the match and couldn’t break down their opponents’ defence, falling 21-11, 21-14.
Shimizu was back on court soon after in the women’s doubles with Laudya Griselda (AUS), and once again Yeon was across the net, this time partnering Kim So Hee. The match was far closer. Over 65 minutes and three games, the lead changed hands repeatedly, with the Australian pair attacking hard and their opponents matching them. Griselda and Shimizu took the opening game 23-21, but Kim and Yeon levelled the match, and in the final game momentum swung their way. They capitalised, winning 21-23, 21-17, 21-14.
Korea’s depth showed across the draw. In the women’s singles, Lee Da Hyun defeated Sydney-based Indonesian player Kyla Legiana Agatha 21-19, 21-14, and Kim Do Yeon continued her strong tournament with a 21-19, 21-10 win over compatriot Boo Seo Yeon.
The men’s doubles was an all-Korean affair. Park Seung Min, back on court with Cheon Ji Min, secured his second final of the day with a 21-14, 21-16 win over Kim Sung Un and Park Ji Won. They will meet Cho Moon Hee and Yong Hee Lee, who beat Choi Se Young and Lee Chi Woo 21-14, 21-16 in their semifinal.
Jo Yoo Na will also play two finals, in the mixed doubles with Kim Sung Un and in the women’s doubles with Hee Joo Ko.
