Middle School Team Defeats 'Dads'... 8th Busan Sasang-gu Mayor's Jokgu Tournament

Shilla Middle School Wins First Championship in 8 Years, Defeating Adult Club
Consecutive Victories Over Teams With 30-40 Years of Jokgu Experience in Local Division 2

Middle school students defeated the “dad” team! They also consecutively beat teams made up of uncles and even grandfathers.

However, the older players with gray hair did not give up easily. The young athletes had to struggle mightily before finally lifting the championship trophy.

On the 26th, at the foot volleyball court by the riverside next to Renecite in Sasang-gu, Busan, the Busan Shilla Middle School foot volleyball team won the championship for the first time in the 8th Sasang-gu Mayor’s Cup Foot Volleyball Tournament, hosted by Sasang-gu Office. Competing in the local second division, they defeated strong middle-aged and senior foot volleyball club teams.

The young players, in their 8th year since the foot volleyball club was founded, overcame adult teams with more than 30 to 40 years of experience to claim the trophy. The Shilla Middle School foot volleyball club was established eight years ago when Jang Kiho, secretary general of the Sasang-gu Foot Volleyball Association, joined the school as a foot volleyball coach.

Jang Kiho said, “The middle school team that participated this time was mainly composed of third-year students, so these players, with just 2 to 3 years of experience, managed to defeat renowned adult teams,” expressing his pride.

The Busan Silla Middle School team, winners of the 2nd division within the district at the 8th Busan Sasang District Mayor's Jokgu Tournament.

This tournament featured more than 200 participants from over 20 foot volleyball clubs, including 6 teams in the local first division, 13 teams in the local second division, and 8 teams in the 60s division, all competing for the Sasang-gu Mayor’s Cup title.

In the local first division, the “Baekyang B” team took first place. “Wing A” was the runner-up, and “Baekyang A” finished third. In the local second division, “Shilla Middle School” won the championship, “Wing B” was the runner-up, and “Geonsamo,” an invited team from Buk-gu, took third place.

In the 60s division, where teams of seniors aged 60 to over 70 competed, “Baekyang” claimed the championship, “Hanultari” was the runner-up, and “Garam” took third place.

Jang Deoksu, competition director of the Sasang Foot Volleyball Association, who oversaw the tournament, said with a smile, “We organized this tournament to foster camaraderie among foot volleyball enthusiasts and to expand the base of recreational sports. Fortunately, the forecasted rain did not fall heavily, so we were able to successfully complete all matches as scheduled.”

Park Myungsik, president of the Sasang-gu Foot Volleyball Association, stated, “Players, supporters, and foot volleyball officials gave their all, shouting fighting spirits along the Nakdong River. We will continue to work hard for the development of foot volleyball, a sport that brings both laughter and health.”

Park Samcheol, president of the Busan Foot Volleyball Association, emphasized, “Traditional folk ball games such as Chukguk and Jegichagi, which are the origins of foot volleyball, have long been mentioned in historical records, so it is fitting to take pride in them as a national sport. We will strive for the advancement of K-sports on the global stage and the unity of enthusiasts.”

Players of the Geonsamo team competing in the 60s division at the 8th Sasang District Mayor's Jokgu Tournament are putting all their skills into scoring.

Middle school students who participated in the 8th Sasang District Mayor's Cup Jokgu Tournament in the local Division 2 are playing matches against adult club players who are old enough to be their fathers.