Strong Teams from Gyeongnam and Ulsan to Compete... "We Will Make Them Dogs Chasing Chickens"
3rd: Busan's First Sponsored National Jokgu Tournament Opens
Co-hosted by Asia Economy Yeongnam Headquarters and Busan MBC
“He usually buys me meals, but this time I’m going to crush him in the match,” the younger brother said coldly. “A truly good younger brother,” the older brother replied, “but I will mercilessly punish and avenge all the defeats so far.” When these two jokgu players meet in a match, sharing soju cups and caring for each other like close siblings, they become completely different people.
As with all sports, in the world of competition, personal friendships or others’ circumstances mean nothing. There is pride built up from all the sweat and teammates who have poured their energy together.
Mr. Park Jeong-bin (27, senior at Pukyong National University) became a jokgu player after casually playing ‘jokgunori’ with fellow students at an academy he attended in middle school, encouraged by his teacher, and officially founded a club after the college entrance exam in his senior year of high school.
He currently holds the position of attacker, known as the ‘killer’ role, in the ‘Busan Jungang’ jokgu club, and except for players in the elite division (formerly the strongest division), he is recognized as the best killer in Busan’s general amateur jokgu scene.
Mr. Kim Min-su (31, office worker) is the main attacking force of the ‘Oryuk’ jokgu club. He only became a serious jokgu player 3 to 4 years ago, shedding the image of a casual jokgu player who enjoys playing jokgu in mountain forts or neighborhoods.
He joined the Oryuk jokgu team at age 29, so this is his third year playing as a general amateur jokgu player. Last year, he participated as an attacker in the Sangju Gotgam Cup National Jokgu Tournament and won third place, earning him the reputation of a natural ‘prodigy’ in jokgu talent.
On the 3rd, these two attackers will compete for the J3~4 combined division title at the 1st Excellent Teams Invitational Jokgu Tournament, jointly hosted by Asia Economy Yeongnam Headquarters and Busan MBC at Silla University in Sasang-gu, Busan.
Player Kim Min-su praised Park Jeong-bin, saying, “Jeong-bin attacks so flexibly and concisely that it’s hard to predict, and his front defense is top-notch.” Park Jeong-bin also highly praised his biggest rival in Busan jokgu, saying, “There are many unexpected attacks, and no general division player will be able to imitate Min-su hyung’s technique of striking with the instep.”
However, there is also an opinion that the Oryuk and Busan Jungang teams, which have Busan’s best attackers and solid defensive organization, could end up like “a dog chasing a chicken.”
Yoon Byung-gyu, the game director of the Busan Jokgu Association, pointed out, “Powerful jokgu teams from other regions like Sacheon ‘Tong’ and Jinhae ‘Baekgu’ have also thrown their hats in the ring as invited clubs to win this Sarangmoa Cup,” adding, “Busan teams might end up just watching the chickens that ran beyond their fence.”
This tournament is not a community or jokgu association-sponsored amateur sports event funded by a budget. It is the first nationwide tournament in Busan conducted through sponsorship, drawing attention from the jokgu community.
The first ‘Sarangmoa Cup’ jokgu tournament offers various points of interest. Players from six divisions compete for their respective titles.
In the J6 division, 13-year-old Yoon Juwon, a first-year student at Silla Middle School, is recorded as the youngest participant, while Mr. Hwang Dae-seon, born in 1954 and 70 years old, from the ‘Hansa’ club, is the oldest player competing in the 60s division.
In the 50s division, Hwang Ui-yong, competing as part of the ‘Yeoul50’ team from Saha-gu, and Hwang Dong-wook, playing in the J5 division for the ‘Busan Jungang’ team, are father and son.
The women’s division features two combined teams competing in an event match. The match between 50-year-old Choi Young-mi, who has a rare 30-year career as a female jokgu player, and her peer Park Nam-sook, each leading a team and competing offensively, is also a game to watch.
Son Wan-wook, secretary general of the Busan Jokgu Association, expressed gratitude to Sarangmoa Financial Services for organizing this jokgu festival, which gathers about 600 players, families, and jokgu officials from 55 teams, and said, “The association will do its best to make this a successful and memorable tournament.”
Park Sam-cheol, president of the Busan Jokgu Association, emphasized, “I hope jokgu, a national sport enjoyed by people of all ages and a K-sport on the world stage, will be revitalized. We will work hard to make Busan a jokgu mecca through this tournament.”
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