Masuki defends title, Park strikes gold twice

With the first of three international badminton tournaments wrapped up, it’s on to the next this week, but not before Japan’s Sakura Masuki defended her women’s singles title and Korea’s Park Seul struck gold twice in the women’s and mixed doubles during the finals of the YONEX Northern Marianas Open on Sunday, July 19, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Masuki successfully retained her women’s singles crown after defeating fellow Japanese shuttler Nodoka Sunakawa in straight sets, 21-15, 21-14. Speaking through an interpreter, Masuki said she was happy to win the tournament again after also claiming the title last year.

Compared to last year’s tournament, Masuki said she faced more matchups against fellow Japanese players, making this tournament a tough one. Still, she managed to defeat all of her opponents. She is also gearing up to compete in this week’s CROWNE PLAZA Saipan International and hopes to come away with another title.

For Park, she and mixed doubles partner Lee Hyeong Woo started the championship day with a bang, defeating Japan’s Tori Aizawa and Hina Hosawa, 21-11, 21-18. She later teamed up with Moon In Seo to capture the women’s doubles championship, beating Japan’s Miki Kanehiro and Yuna Kato, 21-16, 17-21, 21-15, for her second gold medal of the tournament.

Korea also added the men’s singles title through Park Sang Yong, who outlasted Japan’s Koo Takahashi in a thrilling three-set battle, 21-19, 19-21, 21-15. Park, who has competed in Saipan’s tournament for four straight years, said it felt great to finally win after becoming familiar with the level of competition. He said that experience helped him capture gold this time.

Japan earned its second gold medal in the men’s doubles, with Tori Aizawa and Daisuke Sano rallying past Korea’s Jin Sung Ik and Lee Hyeong Woo, 21-19, 13-21, 21-16.

The second international badminton tournament in Saipan, the CROWNE PLAZA Saipan International, started today, Tuesday, July 21, with the championship matches scheduled for Sunday, July 25.