Lost but 'Kim Yeon-kyung's Friendship' Shone... Warm Embrace with Brazil Captain

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] As South Korea and Brazil competed in the women's volleyball semifinals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the friendship between South Korean team captain Kim Yeon-koung (33) and Brazilian team captain Natalia Pereira (32) drew attention.

On the 6th, the Olympic women's volleyball semifinal match was held at Ariake Arena in Japan. On that day, South Korea lost to Brazil with a set score of 0-3, tasting the bitter defeat just short of reaching the finals for the first time in Olympic history. Afterwards, Kim Yeon-koung expressed her regret, saying, "I don't have much to say today. Brazil's defense was good, and overall it was a difficult match."

However, Brazilian team captain Pereira approached the heartbroken Kim Yeon-koung and extended her hand. The two players shook hands and then embraced each other, encouraging one another. The Olympic spirit shone even brighter through the friendship between the two players beyond the outcome of the match. This scene of harmony moved not only South Korea but also many other countries.

The bond between Kim Yeon-koung and Pereira is special. When Kim Yeon-koung played in the Turkish league for Fenerbah?e and Eczacıba?ı, she and Pereira were teammates and built a close friendship. The two players, who experienced loneliness abroad, grew closer by sharing their concerns and are known to remain close friends who still keep in touch. Pereira has also appeared on Kim Yeon-koung’s YouTube channel 'Sikbbang Unni Kim Yeon-koung,' and Korean volleyball fans affectionately nicknamed her 'Natti.'

On the 4th, at the Ariake Arena in Japan, during the Tokyo Olympics women's volleyball quarterfinal match between Korea and Turkey, Korea's Kim Yeon-koung is attacking.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Previously, Kim Yeon-koung also shared a special friendship with Eda Erdem (34), the captain of Turkey, who was their opponent in the quarterfinals. Erdem was also a teammate of Kim Yeon-koung at Fenerbah?e in Turkey, and when Kim Yeon-koung left the Turkish league in 2017, she posted on her social media, saying, "Kim Yeon-koung is the best player in the world," and "I will always miss her."

After South Korea's dramatic 3-2 victory over Turkey in the women's volleyball quarterfinals held on the 4th, Erdem shed tears over the defeat but congratulated South Korea on advancing to the semifinals, saying, "Korea is definitely a team worthy of reaching the semifinals." It is also reported that Kim Yeon-koung sent words of comfort to Erdem after the quarterfinal match.

Furthermore, inspired by the friendship between the players of both countries, Korean volleyball fans have also been demonstrating a 'positive influence,' which has become a hot topic. Upon learning that Turkey recently suffered a large-scale wildfire disaster, they launched a campaign to donate saplings to Turkey in the name of 'Team Korea' or the South Korean women's volleyball team players, including Kim Yeon-koung. After hearing this news, Kim Yeon-koung said after the semifinal match, "I was saddened to hear about the Turkish wildfires, and I am grateful that the fans organized a sapling donation campaign."

Meanwhile, when asked about competing on the Olympic stage against former teammates, Kim Yeon-koung said, "There are always players I am close to on the opposing team in every match," and added, "Competition is competition. I will do my best on the court."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.