"'Crazy 21 points' 'Coway Yangdong-gil' 'Thanks to the guys pushing me...One team will win!"

Nov 24, 2024

Coway Blue Wheels ace Yang Dong-gil made a hand heart pose for fans, vowing to win after performing a crazy performance of 21 points, 7 assists and 22 rebounds in the second match of the championship on the 23rd.

[Gwangju (Gyeonggi Province) = Reporter Jeon Young-ji of Sports Chosun] It was literally a crazy performance.

If Jeju Samdasoo's Chokai Lanci was crazy in the first round of the wheelchair basketball championship, Coway Blue Wheels' all-around center Yang Dong-gil was crazy in the second round.

Yang Dong-gil's Coway beat Jeju Samdasu 66-58 in the second round of the 2024 KWBL Wheelchair Basketball League Championship at Gwangju Civic Gymnasium in Gyeonggi-do at 2 p.m. on the 23rd. The fate of the 2024 wheelchair basketball champion will be determined in the final third game on the 24th. In the first game of the previous day, Jeju Samdasoo beat Coway Blue Wheels. 'The ace of Japan National University'Chokai turned the game around with 28 seconds left. It came from behind to win 57-54.

Coway, who had to win the second game, united as a one-team team. Manager Kim Young-moo's operation, which put down the burden on Oh Dong-seok, made him concentrate on screening and ordered Yang Dong-gil to play the role of a playmaker, was effective. Yang Dong-gil, who gained momentum by scoring three consecutive points immediately after his first shot failed in the first quarter, led Coway to victory with 21 points, seven assists and 22 rebounds. He blocked Chokai with a cooperative defense with Kim Ho-yong, and took control of the provision by winning the second ball without fail. He literally played a perfect game in offense and defense.

Yang Dong-gil came out with a desperate determination today," he said, explaining his determined process. "After yesterday's game, the whole team gathered under the leadership of the coach and had an honest meeting." By opening up to each other, we confirmed one heart that we all wanted to win, and we strengthened the process of matching to win", and gave the reason for the victory to 'One Team". "I decided to sacrifice more for the team and do what I can do better. Since my play went well today, the guys pushed me a lot today"I expressed my appreciation. When he mentioned his crazy shooting sense, Yang Dong-gil "I had a good shot sense from the warm-up. The first shot didn't go in, but I thought the trajectory was pretty good, so I decided to shoot with confidence, and then I was able to play with confidence as I scored three consecutive goals," he said with a big smile.

Yang Dong-gil and Oh Dong-seok's fantastic teamwork at every crisis was a highlight. Coway's counterattack and a long pass thrown at Oh Dong-seok, who was speeding under the basket, led to perfect goals on both occasions. Yang Dong-gil "I've been playing basketball with Oh for nearly 10 years already. Even if you don't say it, you're on the same page with your eyes. I believe that the moment I grab the rebound, Oh Dong-seok will be running`````. "Yesterday, he scored a lot to Chokai, and despite the poor performance of his opponent's ace, Kim Dong-hyun, he came from behind to lose." In the second game, he studied more about Chokai's defense, and his cooperative play with Kim Ho-yong worked well"I give credit to my fellow brothers "

Yang Dong-gil vowed to win the final championship game at 2 p.m. on the 24th at the same place. Coway, the third-ranked team in the league, aimed to recapture the championship cup for the first time in two years since 2022 against Jeju, the league's winner, where Chokai and Kim Dong-hyun are strong. "Our director Kim Young-moo always says. Our Coway is 'Crisis-resistant team'. During the playoffs, he advanced to the championship by winning two consecutive games after losing the first game to the Chuncheon Tigers, and suffered a come-from-behind loss in the first game in this championship, but he overcame it again today. We have a lot of experience of crisis and a lot of experience of standing up. be confident that one can do enough," he said, expressing his confidence to win the upset.

There is also a playoff, a schedule of consecutive championships, and a physical burden, but Yang Dong-gil did not hide his desire to win. "Honestly, I'm tired, but I'm all united and enduring with my mental strength. There is only one game left this season. I'm sure I'll win."

As in Games 1-2 the fate of the championship depends on the Chokai blockade. Regarding the Jeju foreign ace Chokai who led the Tokyo Paralympic Games silver medal '1999 Japanese national university' Yang Dong-gil has been watching Chokai for nearly 10 years in his national team career. There was a time when Chokai was the object of longing, and as he kept bumping into each other, he had a desire to win." "As I got stuck a lot, I got used to Chokai's speed and movement. I'm a very respectful player, but basketball is not a one-on-one fight, so I think it's enough to stop it with "Team." "Our team has been working together for a long time, and our best strength is our teamwork, so if we make good use of this part in the third round, we can win enough."I was confident. Yang Dong-gil drew a winning moment with his parent company Coway, who is supportive. "When Coway won in 2022, the first year of its foundation, I have a precious memory of sharing the feeling of winning with Coway's executives and employees. I really want to feel that feeling again in the final match. I want to lift the trophy together," he said, his eyes shining.

Reporter Jeon Young-ji sky4us@sportschosun.com

sky4us@sportschosun.com