Mayu matsumoto instagram
Yuki kaneko.
With decade-long partnership, Japan women's badminton doubles team aims for gold
RIO DE JANEIRO -- A strong mutual trust between Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi built over a decade as partners was the foundation for their 2-0 win over South Korea in the semifinal of women's badminton doubles at the Rio Olympics, taking them one step closer to an Olympic gold medal.
Chiharu shida
It is unusual even in the world of badminton doubles, which requires good teamwork, for a pair to remain together for so long. Takahashi, 26, expressed joy after the Aug. 16 semifinal win, saying, "We demonstrated our style where we play as one."
The world's top ranked duo showed off a perfect flow of moves in the semifinal against South Korea's Jung Kyung-eun and Shin Seung-chan, with one covering the rear-court when the other steps forward.
Despite their height disadvantage, with Takahashi being 165 centimeters tall and Matsutomo only 159 centimeters, compared to their South Korean opponents who are both ov
