Shin Yubin: "Eat lots of delicious food and fully refresh myself"

O-KOKU December 2026 issue　GLOBAL ACES "Why do they keep fighting?"　

SHIN Yubin　KOREA R　Shin Yubin [Korea]

Shin Yubin
Born July 5, 2004, in Suwon, Korea. She won the silver medal in women’s Dobles at the 2023 World Championships. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she won bronze medals in Mixed Doubles and the women’s team event. At the 2026 Asian Games, she won two medals. World No. 12 (as of October 14)

Rival Miwa Harimoto reveals her "most difficult opponent." Shin Yubin’s unchanged warm gaze and the future she is looking toward

After winning two medals at the Paris Olympics and becoming, in name and reality, Korea’s top star, Shin Yubin is the ace of Korean table tennis with her sights set on the next summit. We get close to her true character through the mentality that has carried her through a packed schedule, the process of her evolution, and comments from her rival Miwa Harimoto.

For Japan’s Miwa Harimoto, who battles fiercely in international competitions, Shin Yubin has always been a special presence. Harimoto, who defeated Shin Yubin in the Quarter-final of the WTT Yokohama held in August 2026, spoke after the Match without hiding her strong respect and fear.

Miwa Harimoto: "No matter how many times I play her, she’s still at the very top of the list of players I really don’t want to face. From the moment the pairing is decided until the final point of the Match, I feel my hardest mentally. While playing her, I can truly feel how mentally strong she is. That’s why, before technique and tactics, I prepare with the mindset that I absolutely cannot lose in terms of spirit. Shin Yubin is incredibly smart, and even when I score in a certain pattern, she adapts right away. When I play her, I’m constantly running my head at full speed. Her Forehand is solid and rarely makes mistakes, and because she’s tall with long arms and legs, if I casually go to her Forehand, it feels like everything is being anticipated. She’s a truly tough Opponent."

Shin Yubin, who has made a rival fighting at the top of the world call her the "most difficult opponent,". So during this period, which marks the midpoint since the Paris Olympics, what thoughts has she carried forward?

●─Looking back on the time since the Paris Olympics ended, what kind of period has it been?

Shin Yubin"I’ve really experienced so many Matches and grown a lot. But I have no intention of stopping here. From now on as well, I want to cherish each and every Match and keep doing my best."

The "natural strength" that supports her evolution: "Eat lots of delicious food and fully refresh myself"

●─With WTT and the Asian Games, a demanding schedule has continued. How do you control your physical and mental condition?

Shin Yubin: "By eating lots of delicious food haha, sleeping a lot, and refreshing myself properly. I manage my condition while thinking about how I can make myself happy."

●─You also said in an interview after the Paris Olympics that you "eat a lot," didn’t you? haha

Shin Yubin"Oh, really? It seems I haven’t changed in two years haha."

Contrary to her sharp insight and strong mental toughness on court, Shin Yubin in private is very natural and warm-hearted. We also asked her about the volunteer activities she has continued to do.

●─Are you still continuing the volunteer work you told us about before?

Shin Yubin"Yes. July 5 was my birthday, and to mark it, I went to do volunteer work with shelter dogs. I fed them, took them for walks, cleaned up the facility, and did all kinds of things."

While continuing to put constant pressure on her rivals on court, in her private life she cherishes herself and turns a warm gaze toward those around her and toward animals. That suppleness of spirit may well be the source of the unshakable mentality that sustains her in the middle of fierce battles.

●─Looking ahead to the next Olympics, what kind of two years do you want to have from here?

Shin Yubin"The next Olympics are still a long way off, so for now I want to focus on each Match right in front of me and keep giving everything I have."

After graduating from middle school, Shin Yubin started her career as a professional Player. Carrying the pressure of being Korea’s ace since her junior days, she also went through a period of emotional hardship after unfair criticism following the World Championships held in her home country in 2024, as then-Korea women’s head coach Oh Kwang-hyun also revealed.

Even after the Paris Olympics, when people praised her as an "Olympic medalist" and a "star Player," she has never become arrogant.

With her first salary as a professional, she donated sneakers to a child welfare facility, and she donated the prize money from medals she won at tournaments to orphanages and hospitals. It has also been reported that she donated her post-Olympics commercial appearance fees to the Korea Elementary School Table Tennis Federation.

Her fighting spirit-filled play on court and her lovable, unguarded side off court. Her refreshing, resolute presence in interviews. As a table tennis Player and as one individual, Shin Yubin keeps advancing along the path she believes in, and many people continue to be captivated by her.