Miyazaki fires through women’s singles finals

Sixteen-year-old Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan, the reigning 2022 BWF World’s Junior Champion, defeated South Korea’s Ga Ram Kim in a spectacular come-from-behind win in the women’s singles finals of the TakeCare Saipan International 2023 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium yesterday afternoon.(LEIGH GASES)

Japan’s 16-year-old Tomoka Miyazaki came from behind in fiery and spectacular fashion during an epic finals rematch of the women’s singles against South Korea’s Ga Ram Kim.

It was the last women’s singles showdown of the 2024 Paris Olympics badminton qualifier—the TakeCare Saipan International 2023—in front of a buzzing and ecstatic crowd at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium yesterday afternoon.

Miyazaki, who is currently the 2022 BWF World Junior Champion, was down 5-12 in the deciding tie-breaking set.

Through pure grit and talent however, Miyazaki, was able to stop Kim and shoot through the next points—tied the game at 13-13, then took the lead, 14-13, in what seemed to be an improbable comeback due to Miyazaki’s clear exhaustion on the court. 

Kim wasn’t out for the count just yet though and proceeded to keep the game close and tied it up at 14-14, then took the lead 15-14. Miyazaki, though, gained the upper hand when she landed deceptive shots just right down the line that fooled Kim a few times to regain the lead, 16-15. 

Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki, left, took first place, while South Korea’s Ga Ram Kim was second after an epic three-set showdown in the women’s finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics badminton qualifier—the TakeCare Saipan International 2023—at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium yesterday afternoon.(LEIGH GASES)

The game and lead teetered between Miyazaki and Kim and held the audience captive and at the edge of their seats—causing cheers to erupt with each point scored. Miyazaki, with her frail stature yet speedy footwork and flexibility, was able to return and defend a few shots from Kim that seemed impossible to do so.

Kim tried to close the gap again, but momentum was clearly on Miyazaki’s side as Miyazaki made it 18-15, then 20-16. Kim landed a good shot and prolonged the game by one more point, 20-17, but it ended as Miyazaki smashed the winning point just out of Kim’s reach for a final score of 21-17. 

Miyazaki took the first set in a close, 21-19 game, and tired out in the second set for a 14-21 loss. Miyazaki was clearly fatigued near the end of the second set and could not catch up to Kim’s returns and well-placed smashes, but after some cheering up from her coach, Miyazaki—who was a fighter through and through—came back with a vengeance in the third set after falling behind early on.

Kim, who is unranked like in the first qualifier the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2023, was a qualifier who was not in the main draw and made it to the finals after defeating ranked players.

Miyazaki, who was interviewed through an interpreter after her match, said that she is proud of winning their finals rematch. “It was a very long game, but we [played] last week, so we know how to play [against] each other now. Finally, I got the win so I’m really proud.”

Miyazaki, who has been playing badminton since she was 6 years old, has one more year in the junior division and is looking forward to qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics. 
Results of the men’s doubles, mixed doubles, women’s doubles, and men’s singles will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.