The Sungkyun Times

By_ Park Ha-neul

qoosori@skku.edu

             Entering the gym, we notice that the air is already filled with heat and sweat. As Kim Nam-hee unloads a powerful backhand drive, her opponent, Shin sun-mi, gives an awkward smile – likely out of embarrassment. After Kim comments on Shin’s weak points, she serves again. The SKKU Table Tennis players are training with the players from the Suwon City Hall Team at the Suwon Sports Complex. Although physical exercises immediately follow the practice games, we could see in the faces of the players no trace of pain; rather, a glimmer of hope. Let’s now listen to the players’ stories.

             The year 2002 saw a drastic change in the world of women’s college table tennis – the SKKU Table Tennis Team was established that year. Yoon Sang-mun, who had coached the unified South-North Korean Team in the 1991 Chiba World Championships and who had led the Korean National Team in 2000 Sydney Olympics, was named the SKKU team’s head coach. By winning the Presidential Cup in its first year, the team caused a sensation in the world of college table tennis. Since their first win in the Presidential Cup, the team went on to win thirteen consecutive national tournaments. Yoon recalls, “At that time, we were considered unbeatable in Korea.” Team members are often selected to represent Korea in world college championships. Last August, Kim Nam-hee, who represented Korea in the 2007 Universiade inBangkok, brought home a bronze medal which, really demontrates the potential of the SKKU Table Tennis Team.

             Since SKKU does not have a training facility for table tennis, the players train at the Suwon Sports Complex or the Samsung Gymnasium. They usually train with players from the Samsung Table Tennis Team at Samsung Gymnasium located near their dormitory in Seocho-dong. The SKKU players say that not having a gymnasium of their own is the most inconvenient aspect of their training – they cannot hold private practice sessions and they spend too much time moving from one place to another. Moon So-i says, “I hope the school will build a gymnasium for us as soon as possible.”

             When not training, the players take courses just like other students. After morning classes, the training continues late into the night. It usually starts with light physical exercises, and after training in basic table tennis skills, they perform strength and endurance training. During training, manager Yoon focuses on speedy serving techniques and playing against various techniques and strategies. This type of training is done in preparation for the fast and powerful games that have been played in recent years. The outcome of the game is decided so quickly because players now use their rackets to hit balls at many different angles. Therefore, table tennis players need to have quick reflexes and acute judgment. Manager Yoon stresses, “The players must be physically sound to react quickly, so I’m focusing more on power training.”  

             Most of the players said that they applied to the SKKU Table Tennis Team because it has a respectable coach and also because it was a strong team. Mun says, “Although I’ve been a member for just one semester, I can feel that my skills are getting better thanks to the great guidance of Coach Yoon and senior players.” In addition, as there are only eight players on the team, who are all women, the team trains like a family in comparison to other sports teams at SKKU. Shin, the future captain of the team, says, “I always focus on talking and being communicative with team members to promote the unity of the team.”

             There is no professional table tennis league in Korea, so players enter amateur teams after graduating. SKKU players usually enter the Suwon City Hall Team. The team was established by the founding members of the SKKU Table Tennis Team, who graduated university in 2005. Because the alumni and enrolled student players keep in close touch, the team is like a big family.

             In fact, the team has been going through a hard time during the past two years. Compared to the heydays of 2002 to 2005, the team has not been performing well the last two years.

             Kim Nam-hee, the captain of the team, says, “I feel sorry for the team because since I was made captain, we have not won any championships. However, we hope to win the next championship by training harder.” Coach Yoon says, “I view the downslide as an opportunity to recharge.” If the era when the founding members played for the SKKU Table Tennis Team is considered “the first heydays,” the team hopes that “the second heydays” will begin next year. The team’s major rivals are Korea National Sports University and Yong-in University Table Tennis Teams. The goal of Coach Yoon is to take back the top spot from the rival teams by training harder and recruiting better players.

             Although table tennis is a sport that uses the smallest ball in the world of sports, it is also a sport that moves the world. Through ‘Through the Ping-Pong Diplomacy’ employed by Richard Nixon, the former president of the U.S., the president was able to bring about peace between China and the United States.

             Coach Yoon says, “You only need two players to play table tennis. Also, you don’t necessarily have to be in a perfect physical condition to play this sport. Table tennis is a good form of exercise because it uses every muscle in the body.” Although the team has not been able to achieve interchange with the student table tennis club and other students, because SKKU does not have a facility for table tennis, the team hopes to interact more with other students. What the team needs most is the Kingos’ interest in the sport, rather than financial support. The next tournament, “The Multi-Sport Championships,” will be held at the end of the year. Let’s keep our eyes open and watch them work their magic in the next tournament.