Reporter Park Jae-ho = Kim Su-ji (IBK Industrial Bank) left the possibility of returning to the national team ‘a little’ open.
IBK Industrial Bank won a pleasant victory over Heungkuk Life Insurance at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon on the 11th. Although they were inferior with 4 losses in 4 matches this season, they overturned everyone’s expectations and dominated throughout the game, winning with a set score of 3-1. It was all the more meaningful because it was a victory in enemy territory.
After the game, Kim Suji, with a bright expression, said, “We analyzed and moved as we prepared. It worked well for us to solve both good and difficult balls calmly.”
Coincidentally, on this day, Cesar Hernandez, coach of the Korean women’s national volleyball team, watched the game in person. Coach Cesar, who also serves as the coach of the Turkish women’s professional volleyball team Vakifbank SK, visited Korea on a short three-day, two-night schedule. During this period, he will watch V-League matches, check the players’ physical condition, and talk about the management of the association and the national team before returning to Turkey.
Suji Kim received a surprise question, ‘Will you return if the offer to return to the national team comes?’ In response, Suji Kim joked, “Isn’t this supposed to be good at talking?” After thinking for a while, Kim Suji did not deny the possibility of returning at all, saying, “I am still playing active duty, so I think I should think about it. If you say (suggest) that much.” He continued, “But there are many good centers (middle blockers) in the national team right now…(I won’t call me)” he said.
Kim Su-ji retired from the national team along with Kim Yeon-kyung (Heungkuk Life Insurance) and Yang Hyo-jin (Hyundai Engineering & Construction) after achieving a myth in the semifinals of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. As the three players who had a great presence were eliminated, the national team’s power rapidly weakened and the generational change also suffered. Showing weakness in both experience and skill, they were sluggish with 12 losses in the VNL and 1 win and 5 losses in the World Championship. 카지노사이트
Coach Cesar also acknowledged the weakening of power due to the absence of experienced players such as Kim Su-ji. He said at a press conference on the 11th, “As experienced players retired, the power weakened. And last year’s poor performance led to it.”
Even though Kim Suji is a 35-year-old veteran, she is still showing top-notch performances in the league. He ranks high in fast break, move attack, blocking, and serve.
The national team is ahead of important international competitions such as the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification this year and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Currently, senior players in the national team include Kim Hee-jin and Yum Hye-seon, who are members of the semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics. There is also an opinion that the generational change will be smoother if Suji Kim joins in and leads the junior centers Lee Da-hyun and Joo-ah Lee.