Gwangju Local Boy Goes to Masan Wins Face-to-Face with Childhood Hero in Gwangju → Target of Tokyo, Throw to Death

Sep 27, 2025

Gwangju Local Boy Goes to Masan Wins Face-to-Face with Childhood Hero in Gwangju → Target of Tokyo, Throw to Death
The match between the KIA Tigers and the NC Dinos at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 27th. NC Kim Nok-won roars after hitting a ground ball to KIA Park Heon with two outs and second base in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.27/



Gwangju Local Boy Goes to Masan Wins Face-to-Face with Childhood Hero in Gwangju → Target of Tokyo, Throw to Death
The match between the KIA Tigers and the NC Dinos at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 27th. NC Kim Nok-won is pitching hard. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.27/
NC Dinos Kim Nok-won (22) won a valuable start in his hometown Gwangju. He won his showdown with his childhood idol Yang Hyun-jong (KIA).

Kim Nok-won started against the KIA Tigers in the 2025 KBO League at KIA Champions Field in Gwangju on the 27th. Kim Nok-won blocked five ⅓ innings with one run. NC won the game 2-1. He won five consecutive games and matched the winning rate of 67 wins, 6 draws, 67 losses, and 50%. He narrowed his gap with fifth-place KT to 1.5 games. He continued his hopes for fall baseball.

Kim Nok-won is Gwangju 'Local Boy'. Graduated from Hakgang Elementary School, Mudeung Middle School, Gwangju Jeil High School. Yang Hyeon-jong's junior in elementary school is KIA's 'Great Pitcher'. Yang is from Hakgang Elementary School, Gwangju Dongseong Middle School, and Gwangju Dongseong High School. Naturally, he grew up a fan of the Tigers. I have a lot of memories at Champions Field.




However, he couldn't reach his hometown team. Kim Nok-won was nominated by NC in the third round of the 2022 rookie draft.

Kim Nok-won took the mound at Champions Field for the first time on the 20th. Three runs in three ⅓ innings were sluggish.

It was different this time. Kim Nok-won led his team to victory.




Kim Nok-won said, `I'm a little nervous whenever I come to Gwangju Stadium. Matchup was also my senior in elementary school. I've always admired it. In addition, today's team's 50% winning rate and five consecutive wins made it a burden, he said.

Kim Nok-won didn't think about it.

Gwangju Local Boy Goes to Masan Wins Face-to-Face with Childhood Hero in Gwangju → Target of Tokyo, Throw to Death
The match between the KIA Tigers and the NC Dinos at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 27th. NC Kim Nok-won is pitching hard. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.27/
Gwangju Local Boy Goes to Masan Wins Face-to-Face with Childhood Hero in Gwangju → Target of Tokyo, Throw to Death
A game between the KIA Tigers and the NC Dinos at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 27th. KIA Tigers starter Yang Hyun-jong, who set a record of 150 innings for the first 11 consecutive seasons in the KBO League, greets his fans. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.27/
Gwangju Local Boy Goes to Masan Wins Face-to-Face with Childhood Hero in Gwangju → Target of Tokyo, Throw to Death
A game between the KIA Tigers and the NC Dinos at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 27th. The record of KIA Tigers starter Yang Hyun-jong, who played 150 innings for the first 11 consecutive seasons in the KBO League history, is on the electronic display. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.27/
Kim Nok-won `just threw to death. He thought he was a bullpen pitcher in one inning and one inning and squeezed his strength. As a result, I was able to go up to the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th" he said.

It was a great pitching match. Yang Hyun-jong also allowed two runs in six innings. Yang Hyun-jong, who did not receive many help, suffered a decision loss.

Yang Hyun-jong even set a milestone on the day. He recorded 150 ⅓ innings in the season. Yang Hyun-jong succeeded in 150 innings for the first 11 consecutive seasons in the KBO League. Yang Hyun-jong pitched more than 150 innings in all seasons from 2014 to 2025, except in 2021, when he entered the Major League. He even surpassed 170 innings for 10 consecutive seasons until 2024. When former KT coach Lee Kang-chul was active, he pitched 150 innings for 10 consecutive years from 1989 to 1998.

Kim Nok-won said "I also want to be a pitcher like Yang Hyun-jong at the NC Dinos. The object of such admiration..." she said, her eyes shining brightly.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.