Kim Young-man (37, killer, photo), the ace of the Sepak tacro team of the Gangwon-do Sports Association, is a native of Gangwon-do from Taebaek. When he was in Taebaek Middle School, his physical education teacher noticed his foot talent and recommended him to become a Sepak Takraw player, saying, “I can become a national representative.” He entered Hallym University after graduating from Taebaek Mechanical Technical High School, and in 2007, when he was in his third year at the university, he wore the Taegeuk mark as expected by his teacher.
Having already worn the Taegeuk mark for 17 years, he has been active representing his hometown since joining the Sepak Takraw team of the Korean Federation of Conductors Association founded in 2021 last year. In October of last year, he presented the first gold medal in sepak takraw to his hometown, Gangwon-do, at the first National Sports Festival as a representative of Gangwon-do. It was such a valuable gold medal for Gangwon-do that some said, ‘Without Sepak Takraw, Gangwon-do’s overall ranking would have been lower’. He expressed his affection for his hometown, saying, “I feel proud to be able to represent my hometown.”
However, there is also a prospect that it may be difficult to win a second gold medal in his hometown. This is because the national team Shin Seung-tae (Feeder) and Lee Woo-jin (Tekong), who played an active part in the ‘powerful trio’ with him, transferred. 메이저사이트
However, he is also an ace among his national teammates. Kim Young-man said, “The newly recruited players are also very talented, so I will work well with them like last year and aim for the championship.”
It is also scheduled to participate in the Hangzhou Asian Games this year. He has reached the top several times on the international stage, such as winning the gold medal in the quad (four-person event) at the ‘King’s Cup Sepak Takraw World Championships’ last year, but the gold medal in the Asian Games has not yet been granted to him. He only won one bronze medal at Guangzhou in 2010, three silver medals at Incheon in 2014 and one bronze at Jakarta-Palembang in 2018.
The Hangzhou Asian Games, his 4th in his personal career, is practically the last Asian game for him, who is in his late 30s. That’s why the gold medal is so desperate. Kim Young-man said, “It is an honor to be able to participate in the Asian Games 4 times, which is difficult for anyone to go to once.” I made up my mind.