Kang Baek-ho and Baek Seung-ho, the ‘people’s curse, completely shake off the trauma

It was a perfect happy ending. Kang Baek-ho (24, KT Wiz) and Baek Seung-ho (26, Jeonbuk Hyundai), who had to take the center of the national team as veterans, suffered from negative public opinion just a few days ago. It was a competition that drew public attention, so it became a “people’s curse. Therefore, it was a more perfect finish for those who led to the championship of baseball and soccer.

After the closing ceremony on the 8th, the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, which lasted for 16 days, ended. The 7th drew a lot of attention. This is because it was the day of the final match between baseball and soccer, which are popular professional sports.

Baseball and soccer defeated Taiwan 2-0 and Japan 2-1 in the final, respectively. Baseball has won four consecutive tournaments, and soccer has won three consecutive tournaments. Both reversed their criticisms toward them as a result. 스포츠토토사이트

Kang Baek-ho was particularly troubled. He won the Rookie of the Year award by making a splendid debut on the professional stage and had an outstanding career, but he was under fire whenever he wore the Taegeuk mark.

The national team, which competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, ended up with no medal, causing regret, but Kang Baek-ho was criticized for chewing gum when the team was being dragged. So far, there have been many reactions that they are being attacked somewhat excessively, but the “absurd ceremony baserunning” shown at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) Australia match held in March this year was a fatal hit. South Korea was held back by Australia, which led to its elimination in the first round of the tournament. There was a strong aftermath.

Even when he returned to his team, his complacent play led to a loss, and criticism intensified. There was no special injury, but Kang Baek-ho had to spend more than 40 days in the second division.

After returning to the first division, he adjusted his senses with a batting average of 0.357 in 10 games, but the arrow of criticism was directed back to him as he struggled with no hit in 10 at-bats in the first round of the Asian Games. He was placed in the central lineup, but he was silent and the loss to Taiwan led the national team to walk a thorny path to consider the number of cases.

He had a hit in each of the underdog Thailand match and one super round against Japan, but his batting still did not look good.

Baek Seung-ho did the same. Baek Seung-ho, who joined as a wild card and even took over as captain, played in all the games played by the national team. Hwang Sun-hong, who operated a thorough rotation, showed how much expectation he had for him.

However, sometimes mistakes were seen due to lack of concentration and luck was not followed. In the round of 16 against Kyrgyzstan, the ball was absurdly lost due to a ball touch mistake while building up, providing an excuse for losing a point. In the quarterfinals against China, he also made a pass miss in the back build-up process. It was fortunate that the opponent’s shot hit the post.

In the semifinals against Uzbekistan, he gave up a free kick in a dangerous position, and in the process of trying to prevent it, the ball hit him in the head was deflected and even shook the net.

It was somewhat unfair. He told reporters in an interview, “I heard you’re working hard, but that’s the situation. As I do my best, this situation keeps coming out, but I have nothing to say,” he said. “A lot of reporters have been posting (the articles) like, ‘If you do well, you can go to the finals’ like I’m playing alone even before the game, but I’m curious about how you feel about posting it and how I can be satisfied. I hope you can believe what I want to say and cheer for me,” he appealed.

Is there such an unexpected drama. They ended up with the most thrilling ending. Kang Baek-ho led the team to the final with a strong performance of three hits, one walk and one RBI in four at-bats, including a home run, in the second game of the Super Round against China, which advanced to the final.

After the game, “I’m always burdened by showing a lot of bad performances at international competitions. International competitions have always been very difficult, he said. “There is a really important game left, and I will try to show all the players, whether they are good or not in the game, to be responsible and do their best.” Kang Baek-ho won the gold medal with joy, reporting a hit in the final with Taiwan, which he met again.

Baek Seung-ho also started the final match between Korea and Japan and helped secure the midfield and win the gold medal. With a 2-1 lead, he fell down on the ground and cried a lot when the final whistle sounded. Coach Hwang Sun-hong also hugged him and shed tears for a long time.

After winning the championship, Baek Seung-ho said, “This tournament has become a turning point,” adding, “I think I’ve learned a lot and grown up as a person.” It is said that sports must eventually prove with results. Quieting a lot of criticism is also the result. Kang Baek-ho and Baek Seung-ho, who turned into swans in “The Ugly Duckling,” proved the truth as a result.