You have to come down when you are at the top”… ‘Volleyball Empress’ Kim Yeon-kyung suggests retirement possibility
Directly mentioned after recapturing the lead of Heungkuk Life Insurance
“I can’t organize my thoughts… Decision within the season”
Part of “The best timing for changing careers in the entertainment industry”
‘Volleyball Empress’ Kim Yeon-kyung (35, photo)안전놀이터 graduated from Suwon Hanil Computer Girls’ High School (currently Hanbom High School) and has always been in the Heungkuk Life Insurance uniform as the first overall pick in the 2005-2006 rookie draft. reigned in the highest position. From her debut season, she won the rookie of the year, regular league and championship MVP at the same time, which was her start.
Early in her career, in four seasons in the V-League, she devastated her league, winning three regular league and championship games. Kim Yeon-kyung, who was limited in Korea, moved to Japan, where her market was bigger, and even Japan was conquered in just two seasons. Kim Yeon-kyung, who turned her attention to Europe, did not lose her dignity even after moving to Turkey, and rose to the ranks of world-class players beyond Korea and Asia.
Even this season, in his 18th year on the adult stage, he is showing off his rust-free skills by not missing the spot in the overall offense (46.02%) and the first place in scoring by native players (530 points, 5th overall).
After Kim Yeon-kyung led Heungkuk Life Insurance to a 3-0 victory over Pepper Savings Bank on the 15th and led Heungkuk Life Insurance to recapture the lead in 106 days, he made a surprise confession to the rumors of retirement floating around, saying, “It is true that I am worried.” Why is Kim Yeon-kyung, who still boasts the best skills, thinking about his retirement?
Regarding the reason, Kim Yeon-kyung said, “He is 36 years old in Korean age. He played volleyball for a long time. He thought it would be a good idea to put it down when he was in the highest position. If he retires, he makes a decision based on that premise.”
On the club stage, Kim Yeon-kyung has nothing more to achieve. He won 10 regular league championships, 6 championships, various cup competitions and the European Volleyball Federation (CEV) Champions League once. Various MVP and scoring awards were naturally by-products.
Kim Yeon-kyung’s last wish was an Olympic medal, but he unfortunately failed in 4th place in both London 2012 and Tokyo 2020. He returned the national team uniform that he had worn since 2005 for the last time at the Tokyo Olympics, so now his motivation is gone. Officials in the volleyball world also observe that “Kim Yeon-kyung’s mention of retirement to this extent is itself a decision to some extent.” Kim Yeon-kyung confessed his honest feelings about his retirement, but said, “My thoughts have not been sorted out yet. I will tell you during the season,” showing a cautious attitude.
Isn’t Kim Yeon-kyung in the process of contemplating a second life after finishing her career as a player at the end of this season, the peak of her career? Some analysts say that now, when she is gaining popularity at the peak, is not the best timing for a change of career to the entertainment industry, which is emerging from some quarters.
Meanwhile, in the women’s game held on the 16th, IBK Industrial Bank beat GS Caltex 3-1 (25-20 14-25 25-19 25-14) and won two consecutive victories. In the men’s division, OK Financial Group beat KEPCO 3-2 (25-21 25-21 22-25 16-25 15-13).
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