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| Photo courtesy=KOVO |
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| Photo courtesy=KOVO |
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| Photo courtesy=KOVO |
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"I talked about retirement like a joke, but...I first heard about retiring in an article. I called because I was surprised (Shin Young-seok)."
Korean Men's Volleyball 'Superstar'Moon Sung-min left the court.
On the 20th, Moon Sung-min held a retirement ceremony and permanent number (15th) event at Cheonan Yu Gwan-sun Gymnasium. It is the fourth permanent absence in the V-League after Simone (OK Savings Bank, Return), Kim Sani (IBK Industrial Bank) and Lee Hyo-hee (Korea Expressway Corporation). After the end of this season, Kim Yeon-kyung (Hungkuk Life Insurance) is also scheduled to retire and have her permanent number.
Even on weekdays, many volleyball fans visited the scene to see Moon Sung-min's retirement. Moon Sung-min couldn't hide his emotional feelings all the time. Even after the retirement ceremony and the game, fans did not leave the scene. Moon Sung-min remained for a long time, taking pictures with his fans, signing autographs, and thanking them.
He made a rare overseas advance in Korean men's volleyball. He returned to Korea after playing for Germany in 2008 and Turkey in 2009. Since joining Hyundai Capital in the 2010-2011 season, he has played 15 seasons until this season.He played in 381 games in the V League, ranking third (813 points) and fourth (351 points) in the Sub-Ace.
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| Director Philip Blanc with the 15 sticker of Moon Sung-min's number. Reporter Kim Young-rok |
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| Heo Soo-bong for the interview. Reporter Kim Young-rok |
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| Shin Young-seok visited Moon Sung-min's retirement ceremony site. Reporter Kim Young-rok |
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In the 2015-2016 season, he led Hyundai Capital to 18 consecutive wins and won the regular season MVP award. The following year, in the 2016-2017 season, he won the regular season-champion match and dominated the MVP. Moon Sung-min was also at the site of the gold medal at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, the bronze medal at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, and the silver medal at the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games.
Fans are not the only ones who visited the scene. Fellows and juniors who were with the national team and their teams, including Kim Ho-chul, head coach of IBK Industrial Bank, Choi Tae-woong, former head coach of IBK, Yeo Oh-hyun, head coach of IBK, Lee Na-ye Ramirez, Shin Young-seok, Hwang Dong-il, Park Chul-woo, Kwak Seung-seok, Seo Jae-deok, Kim Jae-hwi, Lee Won-joong and Noh Jae-wook, watched and celebrated Legend's retirement ceremony. A week after the announcement of his retirement, even though it was an urgent event, the hearts of the volleyball community for Moon Sung-min were heated.
The superstar's last years as a player were marred by injuries. Since the 2018-2019 season, when he won the last championship, repeated injuries have plagued him, and he finally announced his retirement.
Moon Sung-min decided to retire through an interview with Hyundai Capital coach Philip Blanc at the end of the season.
The club suggested the period of the championship game or the first home game of the next season as the date of the retirement ceremony. But Moon wanted to play in the final game of the regular season just around the corner. Consideration for teammates who should focus on the championship game. I also didn't want to put the spotlight unnecessarily.
It was my heart that I couldn't easily tell my friends, colleagues, and even my wife. In an interview, Moon Sung-min said, `I often talked about retirement with my wife right after I decided to retire, but when I said at the last minute, 'I'm retiring', I was almost notified," he said with a smile.
Everyone was surprised. Volleyball officials who visited the site said they learned about Moon Sung-min's retirement only after seeing the club's official announcement and article a week ago.
Coach Kim Ho-chul said, `There were hard times and good things while playing as a player…It's been a lot of trouble. In Korean men's volleyball history, your name is a star that will shine forever."
Former coach Choi Tae-woong, who shared the honor of winning with Moon Sung-min's Choi Jong-ki, said, `I think the day we won together, and today, will be the unforgettable moments of my life. For the team, we're going to make sure that the Republic of Korea has a better
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| Photo courtesy=KOVO |
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| Photo courtesy=KOVO |
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| photo courtesy of Hyundai Capital |
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That's why he's a really dedicated player. I wish I could have played until the end." As for the 'second life', he laughed, saying, `You have to stay and coach, wherever you go.'
Shin Young-seok, who has been walking with him in volleyball since he was in the game, said, `We had a game on the day we announced our retirement. I didn't hear the news until after the game. Now I think it's me next. I also remember we won the championship very hard together. Congratulations on finishing your career without regret, and I hope everything goes well in the future." Hwang Dong-il also came secretly today. I said, 'Let's all retire at the age of 40'…(Moon)Seongmin kept his promise. I really want to tell you that 'your life will be from now on'," he stressed.
Commentator Park Chul-woo said "I felt down. I was a rival and a teammate of the national team who competed fiercely as an opposing team. I hope you don't worry too much about your future career because you can have a wonderful life even after retirement."
Kwak Seung-seok, a junior at Dongseong High School and Kyunggi University, said, `I'm also in good condition these days due to injuries. It's really great that he endured that unpleasant physical condition and ran until now."
Director Blanc said "I also retired similar to Moon Sung-min. The back injury was large, and the minor injury continued, making it difficult to play as a player anymore. "I chose the latter between transferring to another team and suggesting a coach from my team. "If you are a player, you should always prepare time to shout the end. I hope Moon Sung-min will prepare well for a new life. If you learn well, you can be a good leader."
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| photo courtesy of Hyundai Capital |
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| photo courtesy of Hyundai Capital |
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| photo courtesy of Hyundai Capital |
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Heo Soo-bong was informed of his retirement as an article. It was our day off. I was really flustered"He's the role model of my life. I learned volleyball by watching a player named Moon Sung-min, and while playing for a team, I also learned leadership and responsibility outside of volleyball. I respect you. It was a breakup that will happen someday, but it's a pity that it's faster than I thought. I'm grateful to be able to play the last game together" conveyed his intentions.
A Hyundai Capital official said "The retirement ceremony was scheduled urgently, the team was different, and there must be personal schedules..."Thank you so much for coming to the retirement ceremony. It's heartbreaking to meet the two coaches and those who worked with Hyundai Capital again in one place like this.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
