North Korea's Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong, who secured a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, have surprised many as the unexpected contenders. This marks their nation's return to the Games after missing the previous two editions. The duo, both Olympic debutants, triumphed over higher-ranked opponents in the past few days, including the second, eighth, and fourth seeds, before falling to the world's top mixed doubles pair, China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, in a closely contested final that ended 4-2 on Tuesday. By maintaining a low profile and participating sparingly in international tournaments, Ri and Kim have made it challenging for their rivals to analyze and strategize against them. Their success is often credited to their exceptional skills and Kim's unique choice of rubber on her racket. After avoiding media engagements for a long time, the pair briefly addressed questions at a post-event press conference, revealing their training regimen and interactions with the Chinese team. Their words were few, yet their ambition was clear.
"We put in extensive preparation for the Olympics. We performed well but there are some regrets," Kim shared. "We aim to improve and secure the gold next time." Kim's choice of a less conventional bat, featuring long pimpled rubber on the backside of her paddle, has been a significant factor in her performance, catching many top players by surprise. "Her serves were problematic for me. They seemed straightforward, yet I missed several. The rubber she uses is quite uncommon among female players and virtually unseen in male players," remarked Kristian Karlsson of Sweden, who was defeated by the pair in the quarter-finals. Information about Kim, 22, and Ri, 24, remains sparse. As the lowest-ranked team among the 16 competing, they initially ousted the defending Olympic champions from Japan. Their determination and resilience were evident as they overcame Hong Kong's Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem in a grueling match that concluded with a 4-3 score. In a rare show of emotion, the two players celebrated their victory with a jump and a hug after the hour-long battle.
The dynamic nature of mixed doubles, which demands constant positional changes and adjustments, complicates in-game adaptations. "It introduces a major shift in rhythm and spin. In singles, I can make adjustments independently, but in doubles, positioning becomes a factor," explained Hong Kong's Wong. North Korea's absence from the Tokyo Olympics was due to Covid-19 concerns, leading to their suspension by the International Olympic Committee from the Beijing Winter Olympics. Even Team China recognized the threat posed by Ri and Kim and sought last-minute coaching from 61-year-old Ni Xialian, a former Chinese player now representing Luxembourg, who plays a style similar to Kim's. "This is our first encounter," noted Sun Yingsha. "The North Korean team is always very resolute and exhibits the strongest fighting spirit."
