Jakarta –
Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi relieved that the performance in 2021 led them to be the second seed in BWF World Tour Finals. They did not immediately meet the Minions.
Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi are in Group B BWF World Tour Finals. As the second seed, they were immediately placed in the group separately from the first seed, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, which is in Group A.
The draw at the Bali International Convention Center then brought together Hockey/Kobayashi with Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi, Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Rambitan, Christo Popov/Toma Junior Popov.
On paper, this group is lighter than Group A which contains Kevin/Marcus, Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Lee Yang/Wang Chi-lin, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty.
For the record, all men’s doubles in Group A have better world rankings than their opponents Hoki / Kobayashi in Group B. Kevin/Marcus are world number one since September 2017 while Lee/Wang are Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalists.
For Hoki/Kobayashi, being in a different group with the Minions has become a blessing in itself. But he will also not take his opponents in Group B lightly.
“First of all we are quite happy because thanks to the performance and results we have achieved, our ranking has increased and can be the second seed after Kevin / Marcus. Being in a different group from them is already a good thing, compared to having to meet directly,” said Kobayashi after practice, Tuesday (30/11) afternoon.
“If we have to meet, yes, we will continue to give our best. But with the draw now we are happy and feel lucky to be in a different group from them.”
“Group A does look tougher. But we also never know, we will try our best to qualify for the semifinals first, then think about the next,” he added.
(raw/cas)
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