[AG/english]Confident Winning Championship Again in Upcoming AG

Have a guess. If Yong Hwan-myung (30, Samsung SDI, in photo), who is acknowledged the best Korean rugby player, had been a soccer player, what treatment would he have received now? Actually, soccer and rugby have similar introductory history.

Yong heavily contributed in ’98 Bangkok Asian Games to Korea’s victory over Japan in both types (7 and 15) for the first time in the history of the Korean rugby. At that time, all citizens compared the victories with a miracle and praised the players. In addition, players for the first time in their lives had the opportunity to show up in commercials. But all the glories lasted just for a short while. It took less that a month for the rugby to turn back to its place: it is a game that attracts no interest of people.

Now, 4 years after the Bangkok Games, few people would remember Yong. That’s what makes Yong saddest: citizens’ indifference to rugby.

Yong, however, looks bright. He is training hard for the upcoming Busan Asian Games at the Army Physical Center. Even though he keeps saying, “We are badly in need of people’s affection. I feel sorry for their indifference,” he is sincere in training and appears full of energy on his face.

He says, “I just love rugby.” Yong, in his middle school days, was originally a track and field athlete. But later, he got to acquire a “taste” for rugby. Ever since then, he has never thought about quitting it. Maybe this zeal of him, who is not so “big” for a rugby player (176cm and 75 kg), has motivated and brought him the title of the number one Korean rugby player.

Yong’s position is pullback. A pullback is the leader of 5 players taking the position of back, and should have the ability to make accurate kicks. Actually, he was not a pullback to begin with. In middle school days, he was a forward. But his height stopped increasing, and thus, his position was changed to the wing. Then, from college days, he has taken up the position of a pullback.

His position puts him the far back among his colleagues on the ground. Once he catches the ball, he rushes through the tough defense line. That is where, according to Yong, he feels the most excitement.

In Korea, he has won championship for his team numerous times. Nonetheless, Japan, the strongest in Asia, is the toughest opponent for him. When he was a college senior, he first joined the national team and participated in the Asian Games. But, Korea was defeated by Japan, and Yong realized how it is tough to get over Japan. Korea’s victory in ’98 Bangkok Asian Games over Japan is the first and last one against it.

Nonetheless, Yong looks full of confidence. The reason for his confidence: his belief that performance only is not enough to determine the outcome.

Yong explained, “Whenever I face Japan, I brainwash myself I am on a steep cliff. Victory goes to a team of power in spirits as well as tactics. This will probably be the last time I represent my country. If we win, it’s the second winning in a row. I will make it come true by all means.”