The coach of the opposing team ran to greet both the original V-League member, a ‘19-year veteran’, and a ‘foreign’ player. [유진형의 현장 1mm]

OK Financial Group coach greeted warmly by KEPCO players

[마이데일리 = 유진형 기자]KEPCO’s Park Cheol-woo (38), who is on the brink of disaster, started his career as a player at Hyundai Capital in 2004 and is an original member of the V-League in 2005. He is one of the V-League’s most senior players and a living legend in the V-League men’s division, having signed free agent contracts five times.

Before the game, he ran to the opposing team’s coach and greeted him warmly. Not only Park Cheol-woo but also foreign player Thais ran over to say hello. Who on earth did I see that made me so happy?

The coach that Park Cheol-woo and Tice greeted warmly was Hwang Dong-il (37), coach of OK Financial Group. Coach Hwang Dong-il, who retired after last season, debuted as a pro in the first round of the 2008 rookie draft, ranked 4th, and was a setter who won the Rookie of the Year award in the 2008-09 season. He played as the starting setter for KEPCO before being traded to OK Financial Group last year, so he has a close relationship with KEPCO players. Since his position during his active career was setter, he is especially close to strikers. That’s why Park Cheol-woo and Thais greeted Coach Hwang Dong-il like this.

Although they are now playing for different teams, they talked for a long time and asked how each other was doing.

Meanwhile, coach Hwang Dong-il is a journeyman representing the V-League. During his 15-year professional career, he wore the uniforms of seven V-League clubs. After starting his career as a player at Woori Capital (now Woori Card), he played for LIG Insurance (now KB Insurance), Korean Air, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Hyundai Capital, Korea Electric Power Corporation, and OK Financial Group, scoring a total of 731 points in 399 games in the V-League, with an average per set. He left with a set record of 6.281.

Currently, he joined OK Financial Group’s Ogino Massage Division and began his ‘second volleyball life’ by coaching players. During his active years, he serves as a setter coach through the numerous experiences and knowledge he has accumulated while playing for all teams. Coach Hwang Dong-il took his first steps as a coach at OK Financial Group, his 7th and final team.

[한국전력 박철우, 타이스가 OK금융그룹 황동일 코치와 반갑게 인사했다 / KOVO(한국배구연맹)]

Reporter Jinhyeong Eugene zolong@mydaily.co.kr
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