Source: REUTERS/Ann Wang
[Saba Sports News] In the mixed doubles final of badminton at the Paris Olympics, South Korea’s Kim Wonho/Jeong Na Eun faced China’s Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong. Ultimately, the Chinese duo won easily with a score of 2-0, successfully claiming the gold medal. For 25-year-old Kim Wonho, missing out on the gold medal is somewhat regrettable, but the Olympic silver medal is enough to exempt him from military service. After the match, Kim Wonho saluted the audience. According to reports, South Korea’s military service system requires all male citizens aged 18 to 35 to serve in the military, with the duration varying by branch, but the minimum service period is 23 months. However, athletes who achieve special results, such as winning an Asian Games championship or earning a medal at the Olympics, can be exempted from military service. For professional badminton players, ages 25-30 are considered the golden years of their athletic careers. Joining the military during this time would mean at least two years without participating in international competitions, resulting in a loss of hard-earned badminton points.