Imagine, the WR50 North Korean girl, Kim Song I, who played irregularly at international events is in the semifinals of the Olympics. She will next feature in the bronze playoff tomorrow with the other losing semifinalist, Ai Fukuhara.
The last time a North Korean surprised the world was Kim Hyang-Mi who reached the WS final at Athens'04 and taking silver. Let's see if Kim Song I can go home with at least a bronze, her Japanese opponent, 27-year-old WR8 and former child prodigy is much higher ranked, more experienced and better credentialed than her.
Still, Kim Song I had an impressive run so far, even beating another Japanese WS, the WR6 Kasumi Ishikawa, going the full distance in the earlier rounds. I doubt Ai would dare underestimate her.