"Dolphin" Spiker Jang Yunchang Passes Away
A Legendary Figure Who Led the Golden Era of Korean Men's Volleyball
Professor Jang Yunchang of Kyonggi University, who led the golden era of Korean men's volleyball in the 1980s and 1990s, has passed away after battling a chronic illness. He was 65.
According to the volleyball community, Professor Jang passed away on May 30.
In 1978, while he was a second-year student at Inchang High School, he became the youngest-ever (at age 17) to join the national team and led Korea to the semifinals at the World Championship that year.
He went on to win gold medals at the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1978 and New Delhi in 1982, and a silver medal at the Seoul Asian Games in 1986.
In 1983, he joined the newly established Korea Securities team, which became synonymous with "organized volleyball," and, together with Hyundai Motor Service, ushered in a golden age for corporate volleyball. In the 1984 Super League, he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Notably, as a left-handed opposite spiker, he was the first in Korean men's volleyball to introduce the "sky serve." He also earned the nickname "Dolphin" for his high-point attacks, utilizing his flexible, bow-like waist.
After retiring as a player, he studied in the United States and earned a master's degree in physical education from George Washington University. He later received a doctorate from Korea National Sport University and served as a professor in the Department of Physical Education at his alma mater, Kyonggi University. He also served as technical director of the Korea Volleyball Association, president of the Korea National Team Athletes Association established in 2011, and as a match commissioner for the Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO).
The funeral is being held in Room 2 of the funeral hall at Samsung Medical Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The funeral procession will take place at 5:30 a.m. on June 1.
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