Kim Sa-rang (badminton)

2.1. Birth and Early Life

Kim Sa-rang was born on August 22, 1989, in Incheon, South Korea. His introduction to badminton occurred during his elementary school years, an early start that laid the foundation for his future success in the sport.

2.2. Education

Kim Sa-rang attended Sinheung Elementary School, Hwadojin Middle School, and Incheon Maritime Science High School. For his higher education, he enrolled at Inha University.

3.1. National Team Debut and Early Career

Kim Sa-rang made his international debut at the Osaka International tournament. His talent earned him a spot on the Korea national badminton team in 2008. In that same year, he clinched his first significant international title in the men's doubles event at the Australia International Challenge, partnered with Choi Sang-won. In 2011, he secured another men's doubles victory at the Turkey International tournament, this time alongside Kim Gi-jung, marking the inception of their highly successful and enduring partnership.

3.2. Partnership with Kim Gi-jung

The partnership between Kim Sa-rang and Kim Gi-jung became a defining aspect of his career, leading to numerous significant victories and their ascent to a career-high world ranking of 2 on September 22, 2016. In 2012, they achieved their first BWF Superseries title at the Japan Open, where they triumphed over the Malaysian pair of Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong in the final. The same year, they earned a prestigious gold medal at the Asian Championships in Qingdao, China, by defeating Japan's Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa. They further solidified their standing by winning the men's doubles title at the Indonesian Masters in September 2012.

Their collaborative success continued into 2013, as they became champions at both the Chinese Taipei Open and the Korea Grand Prix Gold tournaments. In Chinese Taipei, they overcame local favorites Lee Sheng-mu and Tsai Chia-hsin in straight sets. At the Korea Grand Prix Gold, they secured the title by defeating their compatriots Ko Sung-hyun and Shin Baek-cheol in a hard-fought three-set match.

Their strong collaboration led to more triumphs in 2015, where they won the Korea Masters Grand Prix Gold men's doubles event by defeating Ko Sung-hyun and Shin Baek-cheol in a closely contested final with a score of 16-21, 21-18, 21-19. This was followed by a victory at the prestigious China Open Super Series Premier tournament, where they outplayed the Chinese pair Chai Biao and Hong Wei in straight games. In 2016, they claimed another Super Series Premier title at the Malaysia Open. Notably, they defeated the world No. 1 pair, Lee Yong-dae and Yoo Yeon-seong, in the semifinal before securing the title against Chai Biao and Hong Wei with scores of 21-19, 21-15.

3.3. Major Tournament Participation and Key Wins

Kim Sa-rang's career was marked by consistent participation and strong performances in various major international badminton tournaments, demonstrating his skill and competitive spirit on the global stage. At the 2013 BWF World Championships in Guangzhou, he and Kim Gi-jung, who were seeded fifth in the tournament, earned a bronze medal. They were defeated in the semifinal round by the experienced Danish pair Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen in three sets. He also reached the final of the Super Series Masters Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he finished as runner-up after losing to Indonesia's formidable duo Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan.

In 2014, Kim Sa-rang secured a bronze medal in the men's doubles event at the Asian Games held in his home city of Incheon. Furthermore, he played a crucial role in contributing to South Korea's gold medal victory in the men's team event at the same Asian Games. He and Kim Gi-jung competed in the men's doubles event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. They advanced to the quarterfinal round but were ultimately defeated by the Chinese pair Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan in a thrilling three-set match with scores of 21-11, 18-21, and 22-24.

3.4. Retirement and Independent Career

Following his participation in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, Kim Sa-rang made the decision to retire from the Korea national badminton team. This significant announcement was officially confirmed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on October 31, 2016.

Despite his retirement from the national team, Kim Sa-rang demonstrated his enduring passion for the sport by continuing his career as an independent player starting in 2018. During this period, he briefly partnered with the Malaysian former world number one, Tan Boon Heong, competing in tournaments such as the Macau Open and the 2018 Korea Masters. His independent career also saw the formation of new successful partnerships and the accumulation of additional titles. In 2019, he secured men's doubles titles at both the South Australia International and the Hungarian International with Kim Duk-young. The same year, he also won the mixed doubles title at the Hungarian International with Kim Ha-na. Continuing his success in mixed doubles, he won the 2020 Spain Masters again with Kim Ha-na.

Demonstrating his long-lasting partnership and competitive spirit, Kim Sa-rang later reunited with his long-time partner Kim Gi-jung. Together, they secured another men's doubles title at the 2021 Welsh International and, significantly, at the 2022 Korea Masters, further solidifying his legacy as a highly skilled and adaptable player in the independent circuit.

4.1. BWF World Championships

Kim Sa-rang secured two bronze medals in men's doubles at the BWF World Championships, a testament to his consistent high-level performance.
Men's doubles

Year	Venue	Partner	Opponent	Score	Result
2013	Tianhe Sports Center, Guangzhou, China	Kim Gi-jung	Mathias Boe Carsten Mogensen	23-21, 18-21, 18-21	Bronze
2014	Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark	Kim Gi-jung	Ko Sung-hyun Shin Baek-cheol	Walkover	Bronze

4.2. Asian Games

At the Asian Games, Kim Sa-rang notably contributed to a team gold and secured an individual men's doubles bronze, highlighting his impact on a major multi-sport event.
Men's doubles

Year	Venue	Partner	Opponent	Score	Result
2014	Gyeyang Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea	Kim Gi-jung	Mohammad Ahsan Hendra Setiawan	21-19, 16-21, 18-21	Bronze

In addition to his men's doubles bronze, Kim Sa-rang also earned a Gold medal in the Men's Team event at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, contributing significantly to his nation's success.

4.3. Asian Championships

Kim Sa-rang's performances at the Asian Championships include a gold, a silver, and two bronze medals across men's and mixed doubles, showcasing his diverse achievements.
Men's doubles

Year	Venue	Partner	Opponent	Score	Result
2012	Qingdao Sports Centre Conson Stadium, Qingdao, China	Kim Gi-jung	Hiroyuki Endo Kenichi Hayakawa	21-12, 21-16	Gold
2013	Taipei Arena, Taipei, Taiwan	Kim Gi-jung	Ko Sung-hyun Lee Yong-dae	13-21, 20-22	Silver
2015	Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China	Kim Gi-jung	Lee Yong-dae Yoo Yeon-seong	18-21, 9-21	Bronze

Mixed doubles

Year	Venue	Partner	Opponent	Score	Result
2012	Qingdao Sports Centre Conson Stadium, Qingdao, China	Choi Hye-in	Zhang Nan Zhao Yunlei	13-21, 21-12, 13-21	Bronze

4.4. Summer Universiade

Kim Sa-rang achieved significant success at the Summer Universiade, securing two gold medals and one bronze, demonstrating his prowess in university-level international competition.
Men's doubles

Year	Venue	Partner	Opponent	Score	Result
2015	Hwasun Hanium Culture Sports Center, Hwasun, South Korea	Kim Gi-jung	Wang Yilyu Zhang Wen	21-16, 22-20	Gold

Mixed doubles

Year	Venue	Partner	Opponent	Score	Result
2015	Hwasun Hanium Culture Sports Center, Hwasun, South Korea	Go Ah-ra	Kim Gi-jung Shin Seung-chan	10-21, 17-21	Bronze

Kim Sa-rang also earned a Gold medal in the Mixed Team event at the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade, further contributing to his nation's success in multi-disciplinary events.

4.5. BWF World Tour

The BWF World Tour, established in 2018, represents a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), structured into various levels including World Tour Finals, Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300, and the BWF Tour Super 100. Kim Sa-rang has won two titles on this tour during his independent career.
Men's doubles

Mixed doubles

4.6. BWF Superseries

The BWF Superseries, active from 2007 to 2017, was an elite series of twelve badminton tournaments sanctioned by the BWF. It included Superseries and Superseries Premier levels, culminating in the Superseries Finals. Kim Sa-rang achieved three titles and three runner-up finishes in men's doubles events within this highly competitive series.
Men's doubles

4.7. BWF Grand Prix

The BWF Grand Prix, which operated from 2007 to 2017, consisted of Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold levels sanctioned by the BWF. Kim Sa-rang achieved a strong record in this series, securing four titles and four runner-up finishes in men's doubles events.
Men's doubles

4.8. BWF International Challenge/Series

Kim Sa-rang has also competed and achieved significant success in BWF International Challenge and Series tournaments throughout his career, securing five titles and five runner-up finishes across men's and mixed doubles.
Men's doubles

Mixed doubles