Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun took the mixed doubles silver medal in badminton at the Paris Olympics on Friday, following a loss to the world’s top-ranked pair from China.

Kim and Jeong lost to Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong 2-0 (21-8, 21-11) in the gold medal match at La Chapelle Arena in Paris.

Though Kim and Jeong didn’t get the ultimate prize, they still brought South Korea its first mixed doubles medal since the gold medal by Lee Hyo-jung and Lee Yong-dae at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Kim is the son of three-time Olympic medalist Gil Young-ah, who won the inaugural mixed doubles gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Kim and Jeong were no match against Zheng and Huang, who were in complete control from the get-go. The Chinese led 7-2 after just a few minutes and the lead quickly ballooned to 11-4.

Using every shot in their bag, Zheng and Huang cruised to a 21-8 in the opening frame.

Kim and Jeong kept things a bit closer early in the second game. But their 4-3 lead became a 10-4 deficit in no time.

The South Koreans’ last-gasp effort was not enough to prevent Zheng and Huang from winning their first gold medal.

Source: Yonhap News Agency