Korean Air, the “Korean champion” who won the V-League men’s combined championship last season, will advance to the 2023 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship.
Korean Air is the first Korean men’s team to participate in this tournament, which marks its 23rd year this year, since the launch of the V-League in 2005.
The tournament, which opens in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, on the 14th (local time), will feature 16 countries representing their leagues, including Korean Air.
Korean Air, which is included in Group A, will play its first game against Australia on the 14th, and then play a forced march of 7 games over 8 days until the 21st.
For Korean Air, 3 out of 7 starters, including starter setter Han Seon-sun, middle blocker Kim Gyu-min, and apositive spiker Lincoln Williams (registered name Lincoln), will not participate in the tournament due to physical condition.
Instead, three ‘Young Guns’, including the three national men’s musketeers Lim Dong-hyuk, Jeong Han-yong, and Kim Min-jae, will challenge Asia’s domination.
On the 12th, they trained their muscles at a health club in Manama, Bahrain, and pledged to promote the competition.
Apposite spiker Lim Dong-hyuk, who should act as a solver in Lincoln’s absence, confidently said, “I think we should take responsibility as the team ace in this match. If we use synergy with young players, we will be able to achieve good results.”
Unlike the V-League clubs, which did not put much weight on this competition, clubs from other countries are working hard to reinforce their power to the extent of hiring short-term loan players.
Yosbani Hernandez (Cuba), who recently wore the uniform of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance in the foreign player draft, will play for Bahrain’s Al Ahli in this tournament.
Korean Air will meet Al-Ahli in the second match of Group A on the 15th.
In addition, Bayar Saihan (Mongolia), who joined OK Financial Group in the Asian Quarter Tryout, and Artur Woodris (Belarus) and Daudi Okello (Uganda), who played in the V-League in the past, will also participate in the tournament.
Lim Dong-hyuk said, “I heard that many clubs value this tournament and come out with the best power. If you show Korean Air’s unique color, you will rise to a high position.”
Outside hitter Jeong Han-yong also said, “It’s a big opportunity for us, so we want to prepare well and have a good experience even if we don’t win.”스포츠토토
World-class middle blocker Dmitry Mushalsky (Russia), who plays for Suntory Sunbirds in Japan, will also participate in this tournament.
Mushalski is a player with speed despite his height of 218 cm.
Middle blocker Kim Min-jae said, “I think I will learn a lot if I play with a good player. I will stick with the thought of winning unconditionally,” looking forward to a confrontation with Mushalski.