by Ian Marshall, Editor
In the Women’s event at the Liebherr World Team Championships, DPR Korea had finished in second place in their initial stage group, somewhat contrary to expectations.
They had started play as the no.19 seeds; they concluded proceedings behind Romania, the no.6 seeds but ahead of Chinese Taipei, the no.3 seeds, Netherlands, the no.12 seeds and Poland the no.13 seeds.
Meanwhile, Korea Republic had remained unbeaten in their initial stage group but had likewise upset the order of merit; the no.5 seeds, they had finished ahead of Hong Kong, the no.4 seeds
Think, if the results had finished according to status, history might never have been made.
The outcome was that Korea Republic received a direct entry to the quarter-finals; DPR Korea confronted Russia in the opening round. Selecting Kim Song I, Kim Nam Hae and Cha Hyo Sim a resounding three-nil win was recorded against the trio comprising Yana Noskova, Polina Mikhailova and Mariia Tailakova.
A place in the quarter-final was reserved; Korea Republic awaited, the two teams preferred not to play against each other, the request was as in Chiba in 1991 to compete as a Unified Korea. Meetings were hurriedly arranged, no rules or regulations existed to meet such a request but above all goodwill prevailed; the possible positive effects of such an agreement not only in sport but in the wider sphere were recognized.
Agreement was reached they could compete as united Korea, there would be no quarter-final encounter, they would proceed directly to the penultimate round; at the semi-final stage either Japan or Ukraine awaited.
Represented by Mima Ito, Kasumi Ishikawa and Miu Hirano, Japan recorded a three-nil win in opposition to the Ukraine selection of Maragaryta Pesotska, Tetyana Bilenko and Ganna Gaponova.
Against the united Korea team, who fielded Jeon Jihee, Kim Song I and Yang Haeun, with no changes to the selection Japan recorded the same margin of victory. Great credit must go to Japan. they competed against a team whom they were not necessarily prepared; they met the challenge, they did nor shy away be offering objections. They recognized the positive significance of the occasion.
A bronze medal was the end result for Korea but more important families had been united, the spirit of goodwill to all men had prevailed.