Ra Kyung Min is Coming out of Retirement!!

[Athelete1234]

According to Badzine....she's coming back and aiming for another gold :eek::eek:!!

http://www.badzine.info/index.php/features/main-features/2020-people-ra-kyung-min-is-back.html

[narnia]

According to Badzine....she's coming back and aiming for another gold :eek::eek:!!

http://www.badzine.info/index.php/features/main-features/2020-people-ra-kyung-min-is-back.html

59484

Confirmed.

She is now serving as a playing coach at DaeKyo Team and will participate in the Fall National Tournament in Korea, starting from September 6th. She is 32, mom of two children.

:)

[bradmyster]

wow thats awesome!! be interesting to see how she goes! Goodluck to her and her team!

[Wong8Egg]

Great news. I hope this is no April Fools Joke.

Hey, please bring KDM too!!!!

[george@chongwei]

that means she will be back in international tourneys too??:)
that's cool.

[ctjcad]

...Lee Yong Dae will finally get his missing XD partner!!..

Now, if we can get KDM back and team up with Lee Yong Dae..?!?!..:cool:

[Gladius]

...Lee Yong Dae will finally get his missing XD partner!!..

Now, if we can get KDM back and team up with Lee Yong Dae..?!?!..:cool:

Now... those would be very interesting prepositions indeed! :eek:

[flymordecai]

Best badminton news since 2004! :D

[limsy]

Best badminton news since 2004! :D

i want to say this too^^:D

[Dreamzz]

they didn't say who her partner's going to be.
i doubt the KOR badminton federation will break up the olympic gold pair though.

[Siegfried_Li]

Sure, she should, as she had seen that even LYD/LHJ could get one, it must be easy. RKM certainly deserved one.

[Cheung]

...Lee Yong Dae will finally get his missing XD partner!!..

Now, if we can get KDM back and team up with Lee Yong Dae..?!?!..:cool:

I wanna see this!!!

[george@chongwei]

any news about the great kim dong moon?:cool:

[Cheung]

any news about the great kim dong moon?:cool:

Doing the baby sitting?

[ants]

Looking forward in her returning to hyper competitive mode.

[sting1988]

I thought KDM and RKM are in Alberta, Canada. Hopefully I could see KDM play cause I've only seen the 2004 Olympics and All England 2000. Magnificent player!!

[huangkwokhau]

I thought Ra is already Canadian citizen....she should represent Canada....

[ye333]

They are in Calgary.


I thought KDM and RKM are in Alberta, Canada. Hopefully I could see KDM play cause I've only seen the 2004 Olympics and All England 2000. Magnificent player!!

[ye333]

Hmm... that's very reasonable.


I thought Ra is already Canadian citizen....she should represent Canada....

[Loh]

I thought Ra is already Canadian citizen....she should represent Canada....


Hmm... that's very reasonable.

Maybe she has dual citizenship. :D And maybe Korea offers better incentives? ;)

But seriously, how old is mother Ra now? :rolleyes:
It may be tough for her to make a return to professional badminton.

[OneToughBirdie]

I thought Ra is already Canadian citizen....she should represent Canada....

If Ra/KDM play for Canada, then they can keep playing and representing Canada till they turn old age and then collect old age security.

[bad_fanatic]

It would be so awesome to see DKM/RKM vs LYD/LHJ

[Athelete1234]

Maybe she has dual citizenship. :D And maybe Korea offers better incentives? ;)

But seriously, how old is mother Ra now? :rolleyes:
It may be tough for her to make a return to professional badminton.
She's 32 according to the article....so about the age of PG.

[Armor_tec_14]

um, to the person that said it would be easy to get an olympic gold, seen as LYD/LHJ got one that is absolute rubbish. Yeah LHJ can be slightly inconsistent, but when she's playing well she plays really well.

[Siegfried_Li]

um, to the person that said it would be easy to get an olympic gold, seen as LYD/LHJ got one that is absolute rubbish. Yeah LHJ can be slightly inconsistent, but when she's playing well she plays really well.
Yes LHJ is a very good player, I always agree with this.

[Armor_tec_14]

Yes LHJ is a very good player, I always agree with this.

So why is it easy?:confused:

[Cheung]

um, to the person that said it would be easy to get an olympic gold, seen as LYD/LHJ got one that is absolute rubbish. Yeah LHJ can be slightly inconsistent, but when she's playing well she plays really well.A bit of an understatement. I don't think she's a big game player despite that Olympic gold.


But seriously, how old is mother Ra now?
It may be tough for her to make a return to professional badminton. For her style of play, perhaps not. And for women, I do think it is easier. Mixed doubles is not all about power. For ladies doubles, I think it would be very tough given teh physical strength of China's ladies doubles players.

[george@chongwei]

If Ra/KDM play for Canada, then they can keep playing and representing Canada till they turn old age and then collect old age security.
it would be awesome to see her representing canada:p

[pjswift]

Things can change very fast. LYD is not as sharp as before. LYD/LHJ deservingly won the OG08 gold because LYD could cover for LHJ. But not since this year.
LHJ has a real fear of ZB/MJ. The LYD/LHJ mix looks done for winning titles. RKM would do better with LYD. XD is about skills and guile. RKM has plenty of both, once she polishes off the rust.

[narnia]

You guys go beyond the facts. :)

- KDM will stay at Calgary, coaching some canadian elite players at the KDM Badminton Academy, and caring for his first son. (Their new-born daughter will be brought to Korea and cared by RKM's parents.)

- KDM/RKM are not Canadian citizens; maybe not PR either. FYI, Korea doesn't allow dual citizenship.

- RKM will give some tries playing at the Tournaments in Korea partnering with her colleagues in DaeKyo Team, which consists of only women. Nothing talked in the relevance of the National Team.

:)

[tommy_bun]

After Minarti Timur...Now Ra Kyung Min...Parhaps next is Ge Fei :):)

[ctjcad]

...
- RKM will give some tries playing at the Tournaments in Korea partnering with her colleagues in DaeKyo Team, which consists of only women. Nothing talked in the relevance of the National Team.

:)
..and we all thought Ra would re-join the national team & team up with Yong Dae and form a kick a** XD pair...bummer!!:(
*Btw, thanks for sharing the tidbits of infos..

[event]

You guys go beyond the facts.
...
RKM will give some tries playing at the Tournaments in Korea partnering with her colleagues in DaeKyo Team, which consists of only women. Nothing talked in the relevance of the National Team.This is partially correct. She is not yet back with the national team. However, the Daegyo manager said this was a test with a decision on her selection for the national team to be made later. Also, although the Fall Championships will only have a women's team event, Daegyo will be representing Seoul at the National Sports Festival in Daejeon and they always contribute a mixed doubles player, as when Hwang Yu Mi teamed up with Gangnam's Hwang Ji Man last year to win the NSF mixed doubles title. Also, remember that the last time Ra came out of retirement (granted, after only 8 months out of the national team), she played only mixed doubles, with Lee Jae Jin at the 2005 Sudirman Cup.

[Loh]

Just a thought.

Ra and her husband KDM have done Korea proud in the past and should be getting quite a reasonable pension. I'm not sure about the cost of living in Korea and whether their combined pension is more than enough for their basic needs. Or whether their pensions also take into account inflation.

They are also getting an income from their coaching work and perhaps from playing for their teams. However they are presently residing in Calgary, Canada where costs may be higher. If both intend to be PRs or citizens ultimately then they may have to find ways to increase their income. They may also lose their pensions if they change citizenship.

But of course they also have additions to the family, now comprising four members I understand from this forum, with the arrival of a baby girl recently to join their son and their financial needs will naturally increase.

Most Asian ladies would have retired long before they reached 30, especially those playing singles, with rare exceptions like Zhang Ning of China. To have Ra coming out of retirement at age 32 to represent Korea again would be something unusual and perhaps has never happened before in Korea. Ra then would have her attention diverted between her husband, children and professional badminton. And top-notch badminton now requires greater demands on training and related sacrifices. Accepted that Ra has already acquired more than the skills of her younger colleagues and she probably will concentrate on her pet event the XD, which is less taxing compared with singles.

Maybe event care to comment? :)

[aZn_Popcorn]

Kyung Min Ra will be playing with Haeng Ham Lee in the 2009 Yonex Alberta tourney seeded #1.

[erikpoh]

After Minarti Timur...Now Ra Kyung Min...Parhaps next is Ge Fei :):)


wow i really miss Ge Fei playing with Gu Jun...always a fantastic game against Korean esp Ra Kyung-min, Gil Young-ah and Jang Hye-ock era...

anyone has the video of their matches?

only found 1 game in youtube..

cheers

[event]

wow i really miss Ge Fei playing with Gu Jun...always a fantastic game against Korean esp Ra Kyung-min, Gil Young-ah and Jang Hye-ock era...Jang Hye Ock still plays domestically. She is 3 months younger than Ra and she won her All England title a month after her 18th birthday. She and Kim Shin Young ('95 Swedish Open winner) have placed 2nd at three national tournaments in recent years. Kim is a year older than Ra.

[erikpoh]

Jang Hye Ock still plays domestically. She is 3 months younger than Ra and she won her All England title a month after her 18th birthday. She and Kim Shin Young ('95 Swedish Open winner) have placed 2nd at three national tournaments in recent years. Kim is a year older than Ra.

Why they dont play for international tournaments? :(:confused:

Jang Hye-ock retired at a very young age..

Hope Lee Kyung-won is nt retiring soon

[narnia]

Why they dont play for international tournaments? :(:confused:

Jang Hye-ock retired at a very young age..

Hope Lee Kyung-won is nt retiring soon

All Korean players' the last and ultimate goal is to get a medal in Olympics. Without the goal, they can't and don't stay in the National Team. They seldom play with individual sponsors, rather they support for their successors left in the National Team.

:)

[narnia]

Just a thought.

Ra and her husband KDM have done Korea proud in the past and should be getting quite a reasonable pension. I'm not sure about the cost of living in Korea and whether their combined pension is more than enough for their basic needs. Or whether their pensions also take into account inflation.

They are also getting an income from their coaching work and perhaps from playing for their teams. However they are presently residing in Calgary, Canada where costs may be higher. If both intend to be PRs or citizens ultimately then they may have to find ways to increase their income. They may also lose their pensions if they change citizenship.

But of course they also have additions to the family, now comprising four members I understand from this forum, with the arrival of a baby girl recently to join their son and their financial needs will naturally increase.



They are quite well supported by Korea, Yonex, etc. And they should be now receiving many benefits from Canada. Moreover, KDM should be earning quite a lot from his private Academy in Calgary. Money is no problem for them to live in Canada as well as in Korea.

They may achieve the PR status but they will not become Canadians. KDM has Ph.D. and his purpose is teaching or coaching good players in badminton-strong countries. His main purpose in Canada is to learn english (his current coaching of Canadian team also has this purpose.) The great KDM doesn't want to just stay in Canada, a weak country in badminton.

IMO, the fact that mommy has decided to come back to Korea implies that daddy soon will leave the country they live in now. But I don't know where he will go; surely one of these - JPN, MAS, INA, ENG, DEN.

Enjoy~ :)

[Loh]

They are quite well supported by Korea, Yonex, etc. And they should be now receiving many benefits from Canada. Moreover, KDM should be earning quite a lot from his private Academy in Calgary. Money is no problem for them to live in Canada as well as in Korea.

They may achieve the PR status but they will not become Canadians. KDM has Ph.D. and his purpose is teaching or coaching good players in badminton-strong countries. His main purpose in Canada is to learn english (his current coaching of Canadian team also has this purpose.) The great KDM doesn't want to just stay in Canada, a weak country in badminton.

IMO, the fact that mommy has decided to come back to Korea implies that daddy soon will leave the country they live in now. But I don't know where he will go; surely one of these - JPN, MAS, INA, ENG, DEN.

Enjoy~ :)

Thank you narnia for your interesting input. :)

I didn't know KDM has a Ph.D. This is very rare for a professional badminton player and even in other sports. I could only think of arguably the greatest badminton player from the US, the late Dr David G. Freeman from California, who was a medical doctor, a neurosurgeon.

Dr Freeman was US Champion from 1939 - 1948 (no competition from 1943-1946) in MS (6 times), MD (5 times) and XD (3 times). He also won the All-England in his only try in 1949. He also scalped some great names from then Malaya in the Thomas Cup, And he also played other racket games proficiently such as tennis, squash and table-tennis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._David_G._Freeman

Just wonder what KDM did for his Ph.D and did he achieve this after his retirement? ;) Seems like sports education and the like must be a natural choice for him.

Not too good news for Canada I'm afraid, as KDM does not think Canada could benefit as much from his experience even though he has set up a badminton academy there. And all along KDM remains a patriotic Korean. And his good wife Ra would only follow him. :D

Since KDM is interested in polishing his English, ENG would seem to be a good place to go after Canada. At the same time he could imbibe a bit of English culture. Unless he finds Asian culture more at home, then MAS would seem a possibility as English is also used though to a less extent by players. :p

Good luck to KDM and his partner Ra KM. :)

[ctjcad]

...I didn't know KDM has a Ph.D.
...
Just wonder what KDM did for his Ph.D and did he achieve this after his retirement? ;) Seems like sports education and the like must be a natural choice for him.
...
..as was mentioned a few times before, even as early as 2005. Here is one thread abt his plan:
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22438

[Loh]

..as was mentioned a few times before, even as early as 2005. Here is one thread abt his plan:
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22438

Thanks Chris.

It was mentioned briefly that "Kim earned his doctoral degree from Wonkwang University and is preparing for post-doc work while studying English in University of Calgary".

No more updates so far. ;)

[eaglehelang]

T
IMO, the fact that mommy has decided to come back to Korea implies that daddy soon will leave the country they live in now. But I don't know where he will go; surely one of these - JPN, MAS, INA, ENG, DEN.

Enjoy~ :)

Why not Korea?? ;)

[george@chongwei]

Why not Korea?? ;)
Yup, Korea are not much different either;)

[narnia]

Why not Korea?? ;)

Maybe. But in Korea there are already good coaches; his ex-playing partner HTK and LDS. And PJB is also thinking to come back to his mother country. KDM is still young enough to experience the world.

[huangkwokhau]

Hope the best for Ra...eventhough it is sad that many old players are out of retirement....It takes a lot to play in high level tournaments...

[narnia]

Thanks Chris.

It was mentioned briefly that "Kim earned his doctoral degree from Wonkwang University and is preparing for post-doc work while studying English in University of Calgary".

No more updates so far. ;)

In 2006, he's got his Ph.D. in athletic physiology with the thesis:

"The effects of athletics' over-training on the immune system, the concentration of lipid peroxide, and the revelation of anti-oxidization mRNA"
(translated from Korean by narnia)

And there are some more Korean players who have the Ph.D.:

Kim, YeonJa, who is mother of Sung, JiHyun (who last week beat Zhou Mi), teaching in Korea National Sport University.

PJB has got his Ph.D. last week
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1236642&postcount=25

Jeon JaeYoun is about to finish her Ph.D. thesis in Sports Psychology.

And Dr. Lee JaeBok, who had taught ENG team for a while.

.

[SibugiChai]

Lee yong dae & Ra Ku Min... for GOLD in 2012 London!!

oh yeah....

[venkatesh]

Go mommy Ra! I'm sure KDM would be so jealous, so he'd also come out from retirement.

[Wong8Egg]

Lee yong dae & Ra Ku Min... for GOLD in 2012 London!!

oh yeah....

1st Mom to win OG? :cool:

[george@chongwei]

1st Mom to win OG? :cool:
Not impossible:cool:
If she together with her xd partner has the determination and fit in terms of physical and mental strength:) Why not?

[venkatesh]

Mommy Ra and baby Yong Dae to win XD ... cool :D
Brother venkatesh will be there to cheer them up.
Daddy Kim would be so proud.
Would grandpa george@chongwei be there too? :D:p

[samuel882]

After Minarti Timur...Now Ra Kyung Min...Parhaps next is Ge Fei :):)


1st Mom to win OG? :cool:
MaMa-Mia....:eek::p

[Loh]

I read somewhere that the great China player Hou Chia Chang managed to beat Indonesia's then rising star Liem Swie King during the 1976 Asian Championships final. Hou was then a veteran, 37 years' old and King was only 20, an age difference of 17 years!

That was why Hou, together with Fang Kai Hsiang and Tang Hsien Fu ("The Thing" who discovered Lin Dan) were considered great Chinese players during their prime.

Will Ra be of the same calibre? ;)

[flo-J]

does Haeng Ham will play w/ Ra also for the next Olympic??

Kyung Min Ra will be playing with Haeng Ham Lee in the 2009 Yonex Alberta tourney seeded #1.

[aZn_Popcorn]

Nope.
She and Haeng Ham just won the Alberta Open tourney quite convincingly.

[aZn_Popcorn]

Here is a recent article of Ra Kyung Min from Badzine.

http://www.badzine.info/index.php/news/newsflash/61-newsflash/2038-canada-ra-starts-comeback-early.html

[narnia]

Nope.
She and Haeng Ham just won the Alberta Open tourney quite convincingly.

Their winning path is found here.
http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draw.aspx?id=8C3CADA5-D12D-40DF-958D-CD0D1ECCA519&draw=1

Do you have any photos taken there?

:)

[sigit1029]

want to know RA"s recent news


Does she decide to play again?

[event]

There is some here (http://www.badzine.info/index.php/news/local/2174-korea-sports-fest-retirees-retired.html).