Will I see Kim Yeon-kyung's tears in 'Volleyball Empress'..."I'll retire after winning"
Will I see Kim Yeon-kyung's tears in 'Volleyball Empress'..."I'll retire after winning"
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"I was a bit emotional today as well. I'm worried that I'll cry if I win."
The last wish of "Volleyball Empress" Kim Yeon-koung (37) is just around the corner. The long-awaited unified Korean title that will mark the retirement season is Kim Yeon-koung squeezes her last strength to make even the world's greatest volleyball empress cry.
Heungkuk Life Insurance, led by Kim Yeon-kyung, defeated Jeong Kwan-jang with a set score of 3-2 (23-25 18-25 25-22 25-12 15-12) in the second match of the V League Women's Championship match held at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon on the 2nd. With this, it has only one win left until its fifth career victory, taking both the first and second games.
It was an event that could not be explained except for Kim's presence. The match was not easy for Heungkuk Life Insurance, which had a complete victory of 3-0 in the first round. Jeong Kwan-jang used both Mega and Bukirich to win the first and second sets first. He also effectively marked Kim and Tutu with well-organized defense strategies. At a time when Heungkuk Life could have lost the game faster to prepare for the third round. Kim Yeon-koung was in the court. She remained silent with four points until the second set, but scored eight points in the third set, spearheading her offense. Whenever it was crucial, he brought three sets, scoring from the potential and even succeeding in the rear attack.
After Kim's revival, Heungkuk Life easily won the fourth set 25-12. In the following five sets, with Heungkuk Life leading 7-6, Kim scored a strong back attack to lead 8-6. He then scored 11 points, 12 points, and 13 points with his own hands, laying the groundwork for a dramatic come-from-behind victory. "It would have been difficult to win today's match without Kim. I am retiring soon, but I have shown how amazing I am. I played with responsibility," said manager Marcello Avondaga.
Kim Yeon-koung, who returned to the V-League in 2022, has yet to win the championship game. She failed to overcome the barriers of Korea Expressway Corporation even though she ranked first in the regular league in the 2022-23 season, and lost the championship game against Hyundai Engineering & Construction the following year. Kim Yeon-koung, who has repeatedly slipped on the last stage, will take off her active uniform at the end of this season. This is why she is more desperate than ever to win the championship game, which is the first place in the regular league. Once Heungkuk Life Insurance has two wins first, Kim Yeon-koung will decorate her retirement season with a combined victory if she secures one more win. Heungkuk Life Insurance Co. and Jeong Kwan-jang will move the stage to Chungmu Gymnasium in Daejeon on the 4th and 6th for the 3rd and 4th games.
After the match, Kim held the microphone and greeted the fans. If the championship game ends in the third or fourth round, this could be the last home game where she plays as an active player. 안전놀이터
"I tried not to be aware that it was my last home game. But the moment I tried to say something to the fans, I got a little emotional," Kim said. "I believe the fans don't want us to come back to Incheon. Me too. I will confirm my victory in Daejeon."
Kim is famous for making various facial expressions during competitions. However, she is far from crying. Even though she has won championships in many countries, she does not have many memories of shedding tears. Then, what would she look like when she wins her last championship as an athlete? "I think the last championship will be different. I haven't won a championship in three years," Kim said. "If I win, I think I will cry a lot. That's why I'm worried. Even if it happens, I hope she likes me." She ended the interview with a big smile.