Sweden's Karlsson and Kallberg Defeated in Mixed Doubles Quarterfinal by DPR Korea's Ri and Kim

The Mixed Doubles Quarterfinal at the 2024 Olympics saw a fierce matchup between Swedish duo Kristian Karlsson and Christina Kallberg and the DPR Korean pair of Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong. The match, held on July 28, 2024, at the South Paris Arena 4, was a nail-biting encounter that showcased the skill and determination of both teams.

The Swedish team, seeded 8th, came into the match with high hopes, but faced a challenging opponent in the 16th-seeded DPR Korea team. The match lasted just 41 minutes, with Ri and Kim emerging victorious with a final score of 4-1. The match was characterized by intense rallies, with a maximum rally of 11 points and an average of 4 points per rally.

In the first game, Ri and Kim dominated, ending with an 11-1 score, demonstrating their control and strategy. The second game followed similarly, with a score of 11-2, putting the Swedish duo on the back foot. However, Karlsson and Kallberg managed to rally back in the third game, winning 11-9, giving their fans a moment of hope. Unfortunately, the DPR Korea team regained their composure and closed out the match, winning the fourth game 11-3 and the fifth game 11-4, thus sealing their spot in the semifinals.

Throughout the match, Karlsson and Kallberg displayed commendable efforts, with Kallberg scoring a total of 38 points and Karlsson 114. Despite their loss, their performance was a testament to their skills and teamwork. The match was officiated by Thomas Bertin from France and Mohammad Elrawdy from Egypt, and it concluded the quarterfinal phase of the mixed doubles event.