Hyundai Mobis Legend Ham Ji-hoon "Retired? Nothing has been decided. He is in the best shape
Sep 12, 2024
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On the 13th, he will move to Nagano, Japan, and play a practice game against the Shinshu Braves.
It's a compulsory performance. Four consecutive days of games. And I had a delicious rest on the 12th. In the midst of a tight schedule, Hyundai Mobis coach Cho Dong-hyun had a special meeting with Ham Ji-hoon, the team's oldest member. It was an individual interview with an unusual meaning.
Coach Cho gave affectionate advice on Ham Ji-hoon. "Let's carry out off-season training with the same preparation as in previous years and the same mindset as in previous years."
Ham Ji-hoon said of this meeting "It was a meeting where I could feel a lot of things. I thought I was doing my best, but it was a piece of advice to sort out my slightly confused mind.'
Interview with Ham about the timing of his retirement. What could have happened? He met Ham at the Shinjuku Prince Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, where Hyundai Mobis is staying for a training camp in Japan.
Ham Ji-hoon, who is 39 years old this year, is a legend who led the golden age of Hyundai Mobis along with Yang Dong-geun.
He was ranked 10th in the first round in the 2007 Rookie Draft and was the core of the Hyundai Mobis dynasty as a big man representing the league every season. Along with Yang Dong-geun, he was the favorite of former director Yoo Jae-hak. He is a player who will definitely be permanently absent from Hyundai Mobis.
Ham Ji-hoon was also strong last season. He has not lost his competitive edge.
However, it is also a sobering fact that the time for retirement is approaching.
Ham Jihoon "2017?" I'm trying to maintain the same weight and body fat. However, there is something that has changed. In the past, if I felt responsible as a main player while playing for more than 30 minutes, now it is my duty to support Jang Jae-seok and Kim Jun-il."
I'm still in very good shape. He said "In the past, if it was only done with team training, these days, I'm trying to rehabilitate and participate in all the rest of the exercise to make up for my stamina for a short playing time."
He is sincere. In fact, he was not a sincere player from the beginning.
He "I've been thinking of him as being insincere and lazy since a long time ago. I always had that in mind when I was in middle and high school. From the outside, he is slow, chubby, and has a body that is not like an athlete. I was fully aware of this"Coming to the professional program, I completely changed my mind." It was even more so when I heard compliments from the coaching staff. If you are not sincere, your body is easily damaged. I worked out harder. I always eat and control my weight during the season or off-season."
He likes cola very much. "I drank it to the level of addiction because it was refreshing. He was injured in his early professional days, but former coach Yoo Jae-hak issued a coke ban. He said he was injured by cola. At the time, he was examined for several months and secretly ate in a loose gap."
I'm happy these days. Ham Ji-hoon "Zero Cola came out. be enjoying one's food"I laughed. This is what he says, but his weight control efforts are invisible and thorough.
Director Cho Dong-hyun is a friend who likes to eat. Due to their nature, they gain weight quickly when they are careless. By the way, it's really pitiful to see you control your diet every day."
I was curious about the timing of my retirement.
Ham Ji-hoon "I'm curious, too. I don't know if I'll retire after this season. There is only one year left on the contract. I have to consult with the club, and I don't intend to retire as it is, but there is also a personal principle that if the competitiveness decreases, I quit without regret. "I don't think I should quit after this season is over. I think the idea is wrong. The mindset of the season should be the same. I've always worked out like that."
He is a proven player by his actions as well as his words.
During the training camp, Ham Ji-hoon of the world was also a little confused. Director Cho said in individual interviews, `Let's focus on this moment. Let's get our body condition and mind together once again." Ham Ji-hoon also became more desperate.
sfryu@sportschosun.com
