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| Lee Myung-hee, chairman of the Ilwoo Foundation, Cho Won-tae, chairman of Hanjin Group, and Cho Hyun-min, president of Hanjin, are taking a commemorative photo after encouraging prospective elementary school students Kim Ji-yu, Yoon Hyo-jung, and Ban Si-woo at the Ilwoo Bae National Table Tennis Competition. Photo courtesy = Korea Table Tennis Association |
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Table Tennis Association |
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| Kim Ji-yu (6th grade in Miseong Elementary School, Seoul), who recently attended the WTT Youth Contender Competition in the United States with a scholarship from the Ilwoo Foundation, is thanking Yoon Hyo-jung and Ban Si-woo as players. Photo courtesy = Korea Table Tennis Association |
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"Grandfather Chairman, who really loved table tennis, thank you. I will work hard and become a member of the national team."
The letter to the late Cho Yang-ho, president of the Korea Table Tennis Association, which was held at Gyeyang Gymnasium in Incheon on the 27th, was clearly read by Kim Ji-yu (Miseong Elementary School, Seoul, 6), who left for heaven in 2019 and was the No. 1 women's table tennis player in the elementary school division.
The Ilwoo-bae National Table Tennis Competition, named after the late Cho Yang-ho, president of the Korea Table Tennis Association, began in 2022 and marks its fourth anniversary this year to honor the late chairman Cho's love and dedication in sports and to lead the revitalization of table tennis through youth development.
The letters from young dreamers who recently visited the WTT Youth Contender Fremont 2025 in the U.S. as a scholarship to improve their performance at the 3rd Ilwoo Bae Competition last year were special."I went abroad for the first time and played, and I was very nervous and nervous. But while playing in the same stadium as my friends from various countries, I thought, `If I work harder, I can play on that stage again.' The teachers told me that it was because of my grandfather, who really loved table tennis, that they gave me such a wonderful opportunity. I will never forget the love I have received so far, and I will continue to work hard to become a national team member." Kim Ji-yu, Chairman Cho Yang-ho's family, Cho Myeong-hee, Chairman of the Ilwoo Foundation, Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Hanjin Group, and Cho Hyun-min, President of Hanjin, received a thank-you letter from Ban Si-woo (Daejeon Dongmun Elementary School), Ban Si-woo (Daejeon Dongmun Elementary School), and Yoon Hyo-jung (Uijeong Saemal Elementary School).
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Table Tennis Association |
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| The men's team silver medal moment at the 2012 London Olympics. The late Cho Yang-ho, chairman of the Korea Table Tennis Association, was happier than anyone else. Photo =Sports Chosun DB |
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| The late CEO of Sports Love Cho Yang-ho, who knew the value of sports better than anyone else, cheered the players by standing in the first row of spectators at the 2012 London Olympics. Table tennis players have not forgotten the late chairman Cho Yang-ho's love and generous support for table tennis. Photo =Sports Chosun DB |
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Table Tennis Association |
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More than 700 table tennis officials gathered at the opening ceremony, including 320 prospective dreamers from all over the country. Family members, including Chairman Lee Myung-hee, and Chairman Cho Yang-ho's support for young talent was also present. Chairman Yoo Seung Min of the Korea Sports Association, Vice Chairman Lim Jong-man of the Korea Table Tennis Association, Chairman Heo Chul of the Korea Elementary School Table Tennis Association, and Chairman Hong Ki-nam of the Incheon Table Tennis Association were present.
The late Chairman Cho Yang-ho devoted himself to the development of table tennis after taking office as the president of the Korea Table Tennis Association in July 2008 until his death in 2019. During his tenure, he led the promotion of the Beijing and London Olympics along with system improvements such as fostering and supporting athletes, and training referees and leaders. It has also boosted the international status of Korean table tennis. Since 2009, he has served as vice chairman of the Asian Table Tennis Federation and ambassador to the international sports organization 'Peace and Sports' and contributed to the formation of a unified South-North team for the first time in 20 years at the 2011 Peace and Sports Cup in Doha, Qatar. The World Table Tennis Championships, which were successfully held in Busan last year, is also a legacy of the late chairman Cho Yang-ho.
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| Lee Myung-hee, chairman of the Ilwoo Foundation, greets the participants. Photo courtesy = Korea Table Tennis Association |
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| Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae draws a lucky draw at the site's lucky draw. Photo courtesy = Korea Table Tennis Association |
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| Hanjin President Cho Hyun-min presents a domestic flight ticket for a promising elementary school player. Photo courtesy = Korea Table Tennis Association |
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| Provided by Chairman Cho Yang-ho, who did not spare any support for the development of Korean table tennis and the future of sports diplomacy during his lifetime, in a congratulatory photo by Chairman Cho Yang-ho Yoo Seung Min.= Korea Table Tennis Association |
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| A congratulatory speech by Lim Jong-man, vice chairman of the Korea Table Tennis Association. Photo courtesy = Korea Table Tennis Association |
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The Ilwoo Bae competition will be held in six unified men's and women's singles events in two grades, with group preliminaries on the 27th and finals tournaments and awards ceremonies in which the first and second places in each group participate on the 28th. The winners of this competition will be given the right to participate in one of the WTT youth contenders next year and a scholarship to improve their performance. At the site of the competition, a photo exhibition is also being held to commemorate the late Chairman Cho Yang-ho, who was well versed in photos during his lifetime. In accordance with the noble will of the deceased, Hanjin Group and the Korea Table Tennis Association plan to continue to develop the Ilwoo Bae National Table Tennis Competition into a representative table tennis festival in Korea while contributing to the harmony of table tennis people.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
