"Thank You" Volleyball Queen Kim Yeon-koung Retires from National Team

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] 'Volleyball Queen' Kim Yeon-koung (33, Shanghai, China) has decided to retire from the national team.

The Korea Volleyball Association officially announced Kim Yeon-koung's retirement from the national team on the 12th.

Earlier, at 2 p.m. on the same day, Kim Yeon-koung met with Chairman Oh Han-nam of the Volleyball Association and expressed her intention to retire from the national team. Chairman Oh also respected the player's decision and accepted her retirement.

Thus, Kim Yeon-koung's last match as a national team member was the bronze medal match against Serbia on the 8th at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Kim Yeon-koung first wore the Taeguk mark at the 2004 Asian Youth Women's Championship during her junior years. In 2005, she also played as a representative at the World Youth Women's Championship.

In 2005, while attending Suwon Hanil Jeonsan High School as a third-year student, Kim Yeon-koung debuted on the senior national team by participating in the FIVB Grand Champions Cup.

Since then, up to the Tokyo Olympics, she participated in three Olympics, four Asian Games, three World Championships, and numerous international competitions, leading the revival of South Korea's women's volleyball.

Through the association, Kim Yeon-koung shared her thoughts: "I feel a bit sad to actually stop being a national team player. The time I spent playing as a national team member was very meaningful and happy in my life. I am truly grateful to the coaches and coaching staff who taught me a lot, and to the senior and junior teammates I played with."

She added, "Without them, I don't think today's Kim Yeon-koung would exist. Now that I am leaving the national team, I believe our younger players will do well. I will cheer for them wholeheartedly."

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