 |
| photo courtesy of the Korea Table Tennis Association |
|
 |
| photo courtesy of the Korea Table Tennis Association |
|
"If you didn't come to Korea, there would be no table tennis player Jeon Ji-hee."
'Women's Table Tennis Ace' Jeon Ji-hee said her last greetings to Korean table tennis fans. The Korea Table Tennis Association arranged Jeon Ji-hee's retirement ceremony as the last order of the KTTA Awards held at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 14th (Korea time). Shin Yoo-bin (Korean Air) delivered a plaque of appreciation on the stage. The two players, who presented each other with happy ping pong, shed tears on the final stage. Shin Yu-bin "To be honest, I want to spend longer with my sister, but I thought she might not be able to be comfortable if I said that. Thank you for giving me such good results so far, and I hope for my sister's happiness." Jeon Ji-hee cheered for Shin Yu-bin's happy table tennis, who was left alone. "I hope Yubin continues to play table tennis happily so that he doesn't get sick. In the future, there will be times when Yubin is good and times when he is bad. I didn't forget the warm request, "Please support me a lot when I do well, praise me a lot even if I don't get good grades, and cheer me on."
 |
| photo courtesy of the Korea Table Tennis Association |
|
 |
| photo courtesy of the Korea Table Tennis Association |
|
 |
| photo courtesy of the Korea Table Tennis Association |
|
Shin Yu-bin and Jeon Ji-hee are famous for the renaissance of Korean women's table tennis. It was the luck of Korean table tennis that Jeon Ji-hee held out until Shin Yu-bin grew up, and that Jeon Ji-hee's spirit was added to Shin Yu-bin's spirit and Jeon Ji-hee's experience was created, creating the best right-handed and left-handed doubles combination ever. Together, the two made history of going to the finals and silver medals in 36 years since Hyun Jung-hwa and Yang Young-ja in the women's doubles at the 2023 Durban World Championships in South Africa, following the gold medal at the Doha Asian Championships in 2021. He won the gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games for the first time in 21 years and the bronze medal in the women's team event at the Paris Olympics last year. Jeon Ji-hee, who came to Korea as a national team member in 2008 and has been a member of the national team since 2013 after naturalization in 2011, has become a 'happy athlete' who achieved all of her dreams of Asian Games, World Championship, and Olympic medal with Shin Yu-bin.Jeon Ji-hee, who received the plaque of appreciation, delivered her farewell speech in a trembling voice. The first line is "I was so happyIt was 'At the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Korea Table Tennis Association 'Athens Olympic Singles Gold Medalist' President-elect Yoo Seung Min thanked the president for the touching resignation ceremony 'In fact, he had not been able to attend the retirement ceremony" had revealed the past. Jeon Ji-hee said, `Even Chairman Yoo Seung Min couldn't attend the retirement ceremony…," he said, expressing his gratitude for leaving with great love until the end.
"There was an interview with Japanese player Itomima after playing in Incheon, and I thought I wasn't too much of a player. There were many players who were too good than me," he said, looking back a long time ago. "But I didn't give up."I became a naturalized Korean and received a lot of love. I'd like to thank the people who brought me to Korea, the coaches, and the trainers that I've met for over 10 years as a representative player in Korea," he said, bowing his head. "There are so many people to be thankful for. If he hadn't come to Korea, there would be no 'table tennis player' named Jeon Ji-hee. "There were some of the hardest times. It was really hard when I thought I was quitting because of my age because of the injury, but head coach Kim Taek-soo said "Do you have any intention of winning an Olympic medal again?" I asked if I could do it, and the moment I asked that question, I wanted to not give up the table tenniscame to think ' Ahead of the Paris Olympics, he was able to make a new start at Mirae Asset in 2024, and continued to achieve ridiculous results in doubles. I was so happy in 2023 and 2024," he said with a smile. Jeon Ji-hee, who only knows table tennis, also thanked and apologized to his male partners for helping him boost his performance. "My partner who has practiced with me and the male players who work with me in mixed doubles have also received a lot of help. Male athletes have been partners for over 10 years, and I want to say sorry that I made a lot of impressions because I was sensitive when I was a playerThe words " burst into laughter in the audience. Jeon Ji-hee wished all the table tennis seniors and juniors happiness. "I hope everyone will be happy in my place in the future. Thank you."
Reporter Jeon Young-ji sky4us@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
