Seoul: South Korean table tennis mixed doubles players Shin Yu-bin and Lim Jong-hoon have announced their intention to aim for the top prize at this year's Asian Games in Japan. The duo, currently ranked No. 1 in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) world rankings, are preparing for a challenging competition where they are likely to face their formidable Chinese rivals, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean pair expressed their determination during a media day event at the Jincheon National Training Center, located about 85 kilometers south of Seoul. Lim Jong-hoon, acknowledging the pressure of representing the country, stated, "It is not a given that we will win a medal, but we will go for a gold medal this time." Shin Yu-bin echoed this sentiment by expressing her honor in representing South Korea and her commitment to achieving the best possible results.
Previously, Shin and Lim secured a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, after being defeated by Sun and Wang in the semifinals. They also faced the same Chinese team in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics, earning a bronze medal-South Korea's first Olympic table tennis medal in 12 years. Despite having lost six consecutive matches to the Chinese pair, Shin and Lim have recently shown improvement by winning their last two encounters against Sun and Wang, including a victory at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Finals in Hong Kong in December 2025 and another win at the WTT United States Smash earlier this month.
Lim highlighted their progress in defending against their Chinese rivals, which has allowed them to minimize errors and remain competitive. He noted, "Being aggressive is our strength, but it has also caused a lot of unforced errors. We have been able to find opportunities in other areas, while reducing our mistakes."
Despite the challenges, Lim and Shin remain focused on limiting unpredictable elements in the tournament. Shin, who has been Lim's partner for over four years, expressed her comfort in their partnership, praising Lim's support and guidance. She fondly recalled receiving a bracelet from Lim after their bronze medal win in Paris and expressed her desire to present him with a gold medal at the Asian Games.