Shin Yu-bin, Jeon Ji-hee and Lee Eun-hye won two singles matches and the doubles to claim South Korea’s second bronze in the event since its 2008 debut.
Shin, 20, added the bronze to the one she won in mixed doubles. She credited her teammates for the victory.
“I am so thankful for my two teammates,” Shin said. “They played so well today and I just had to be a cheerleader. I thought I was going to cry over every point they scored.”
Jeon, 31, earned her first Olympic medal in her third appearance. Lee, 29, made her Olympic debut. Both were born in China and became South Korean citizens in 2011.
The South Koreans dominated the doubles match, rallying from match point down in the fourth game to win the deciding fifth set over Wan and Shan. Lee then defeated Annett Kaufmann 3-0 in singles, with a strong comeback in the second game. Jeon closed out the match with a straight-sets victory over Shan.
Jeon, who partnered with Shin in doubles, expressed her joy at finally winning an Olympic medal.
“I am so happy now. It was great to be competing with these two,” Jeon said.
Lee said sharing the Olympic experience with her teammates was an honor.
“Watching them win their doubles match gave me confidence ahead of my own match,” Lee said. “It’s been a difficult road to this point, but I am grateful that I was able to finish on such a happy note.”
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