Source: REUTERS/Issei Kato
[Saba Sports News] On May 16th, South Korean star Son Wan-ho, the former world’s top-ranked player, announced the end of his badminton career through social media. He plans to appear in public as a coach for the South Korean national team. In his post, Son expressed it was time to conclude his 28-year playing career filled with joy, hardship, and emotion. He thanked all those who supported him and asked fans to continue supporting Coach Son Wan-ho. Many fans had thought Son had already retired, but whenever they saw his name in minor competitions or non-BWF events, they realized he was still playing. Born on May 17, 1988, Son’s highest individual ranking reached No. 1 in the world. Although his best performance at the World Championships was only a bronze medal (at the 2017 Glasgow Championships), Son played a key role in helping Korea win the 2017 Sudirman Cup, and he was also part of the gold-medal-winning men’s team at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.