Nam Dong-woo, Chuck down Two Birds with One Stone

“Hold back the greatest number of victory. Return to the summit in four years and four months.”

“Brad Pitt of Korean wrestler,” Nam Dong-woo of LG (28) has killed two birds with one stone, successfully returning.

On October 19, Nam took first place at the 2003 Cella Gem Cup Korean Wrestling Match (Halla Class, 90.1kg∼105kg), held at Soonchoen Palma gymnasium, bottling up “Fearless Greenhorn” Lee Joon-woo of Shinchang (23) in the final match, 3-1, to receive the bull-shaped trophy.

With this victory, Nam Dong-woo returned to first place of the Halla class match for the first time in four years and four months, since his last victory of Kumi match in June 1999. He also pulled down “Tank” Kim Yong-dae of Hyundai, 2-0, at the semifinals, stopping up his carrying through the greatest number of victory in his Halla class matches.

In the third round, Nam Dong-woo stood evenly against Lee Joon-woo, the winner of the semi-finals in Yongcheon match held in March, recording a draw. But, he tallied one more score at the fourth round with a body-twist throw, getting the lead with a 2-1 score. In the final round, Lee Joon-woo tried an arm-lock trip, only getting his thigh on the ground, and lost the match. Nam Dong-woo, in his seventh year as a pro-wrestler, has reached the summit of Halla class twice in 1998 and 1999. However, he has been sidelined as a four time semi-final winner, after going through knee injury.

“Because of my left knee, I did not have enough discipline of my lower parts. This year, I have built up my upper part through steady weight training in order to refine myself with new techniques such as the body-twist throw and arm-lock trip. That was the motive behind my getting back to the summit,” said Nam Dong-woo, who is nicknamed after Brad Pitt, for his attractive features. He also has the Internet fan community, “Dong-Woo JJang,” a very popular site.

On the other hand, Kim Yong-dae, who tried to challenge for his 13th victory of the Halla Class match, was stopped in 4th place, having a relapse of his chronic ankle injury. Kim Yong-dae defeated his team partner, Jang Yoon-ho of Hyundai (27) at the quarter-finals, but he faced up a consequent loss against Nam Dong-woo at the semi-finals, with the knee-circling and body-twist throw, finally breaking down.

At the final match of Kumkang Class (under 90kg), held on October 18, “Little Hulk” Jang Jung-il of Hyundai got his third victory this season. Jang Jung-il bore down his opponent, Kim Yoo-hwang of Hyundai (22) with a score of 3-2 by excellent techniques such as turning-over throw and slapping-off. Jang Jung-il has settled down as “the majesty of the lower classes,” taking hold of three victories out of five Kumkang class matches. The Kumkang class has been revived in the 12 years since it was started.

Standings of Halla class – 1. Nam Dong-woo(LG) 2. Lee Joon-woo (Shinchang) 3. Kim Ki-tae(LG) 4. Kim Yong-dae(Hyundai) 5. Kim Hyo-in(Shinchang) 6. Kim Jong-jin(Hyundai) 7. Jang Yoon-ho (Hyundai) 8. Cho Bum-jae(Shinchang)

Standings of Kumkang class – 1. Jang Jung-il(Hyundai) 2. Kim Yoo-hwang(Hyundai) 3. Lee Sung-won(LG) 4. Huh Sang-hoon(Hyundai) 5. Kim Kyung-deok(Shinchang) 6. Shin Hyun-pyo(shinchang) 7. Ha Sung-woo(Hyundai) 8. Choi Sung-nam(LG)