JAPAN came out on top in the finale of the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2025, claiming all five titles contested at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium on Sunday.
Highlighting the day was the Men’s Singles showdown between Japan’s Yudai Okimoto and South Korea’s Hae Duen Kim, which went the distance in a thrilling three-game battle.
Kim dominated the first game, dictating the pace with great defensive coverage complemented by his size. Seemingly without a weakness, he cruised to a 21-13 win.
However, Okimoto shifted gears in the second game, taking control with a combination of deft touches, quick returns, and powerful smashes. Although Kim held his ground, costly errors allowed Okimoto to pull ahead and even the match with a 21-15 win.
Riding the momentum, Okimoto applied relentless pressure in the deciding game. Kim fought back, closing the gap as both players pushed themselves to the limit in long rallies. But as the dust settled, it was Okimoto who reigned supreme, forcing an error from Kim on match point to clinch the game, 21-18, and the Men’s Singles crown.
The Women’s Singles final followed a similar script, with No. 2 seed Sakura Masuki of Japan rallying past No. 3 seed Ga Eun Park of South Korea in three games, 15-21, 21-11, 21-14.
The day began with the Mixed Doubles final, where Japan’s Akira Koga and Yuho Imai overcame compatriots Haruki Kawabe and Kokona Ishikawa, 21-19, 21-13.
In the Women’s Doubles final, Ririna Hiramoto and Kokona Ishikawa defeated fellow Japanese Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakit, 21-17, 21-15.
The Men’s Doubles title went to Haruki Kawabe and Kenta Matsukawa, who outlasted fellow Japanese pair Kakeru Kumagai and Hiroki Nishi in another three-game duel, 21-15, 23-25, 21-13.
Japan’s Ririna Hiramoto and Kokona Ishikawa in action during the Women’s Doubles championship match of the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2025 at the Ada gym on Sunday.
Photos by James F. Sablan Jr.
Japan’s Yudai Okimoto and South Korea’s Hae Duen Kim are the first and second place winners in the Men’s Singles event of the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2025 at the Ada gym on Sunday.
South Korea’s Hae Duen Kim reaches out for the smash return during the title match against Japan’s Yudai Okimoto in the Men’s Singles event of the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2025 at the Ada gym on Sunday.
Japan’s Yudai Okimoto extends for the save during the title match against South Korea’s Hae Duen Kim in the Men’s Singles event of the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2025 at the Ada gym on Sunday.
