Kumamoto Masters 2024: Gregoria Back To Back To Final

Women's singles badminton player Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (Doc. PBSI)

JAKARTA The women's singles badminton player who won the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, back to back or successively reached the Kumamoto Masters final round.

Gregoria returned to the top party in this year's edition after rising from behind to beat South Korean representatives Sim Yun Jin with a score of 18-21, 21-17, and 21-19 on Saturday, November 16 evening.

Sim Yu Jin actually performed so well throughout this tournament, including stopping the first seed from China, Wang Zhi Yi, in the second half in two straight games.

"My credit for Sim Yu Jin who performed very well throughout this tournament. Earlier he also managed to put greater pressure on me," said Gregoria.

This is Gregoria's fifth win over Sim Yu Jim of their total six competitive clashes and second in this year after being in the Uber Cup from April to May.

In the previous four wins, Gregoria recorded stopping Sim Yu Jin in a two-set straight match.

"Praise God. God is still good to me, still giving peace at the last point. And it can be final. Very happy," said Gregoria, who is the 2017 junior world champion.

Gregoria is the defending champion at the Kumamoto Masters. Last year he won the first edition of the event with a Super 500 BWF level after defeating China's singles, Chen Yufei.

At that time Gregoria was the only Indonesian representative to make it out as a champion.

Apart from Gregoria, this year's final ticket was also secured by Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto.

The pair reached the final after defeating Leo Rolly Carnando/Bagas Maulana.