*This content was translated by AI.
The extraordinary affection of Woori WON (hereinafter referred to as Woori Card) owner Jin Sung-won of professional volleyball Seoul Woori Card also helped the team.
Woori Card won the set score 3-1 (32-30, 21-25, 25-18, 25-16) against Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance in the fifth round of the men's regular league of Jin Air 2025-2026 V-League at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul on the 30th.
As a result, Woori Card, which has won two consecutive games, has 11 wins and 14 losses (32 points), narrowing the point gap with fifth-place OK Savings Bank (12 wins, 12 losses, 36 points) to four points. He is eight points behind KEPCO (14 wins and 11 losses, 40 points).
Rafael Araujo (registered name Araujo) led Woori Card's attack with explosive scoring ability. Araujo scored 33 points, the most in both teams, with a high attack success rate of more than 65%. Ali Hagparast (registered name Ali) and Lee Sang-hyun helped with 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
After the game, acting coach Park Chul-woo said, "Actually, there was something unsettling about the training the day before yesterday. The players' bodies were heavy, and the setters and strikers were also worried. In fact, this part was revealed early in the game," he said, expressing his honest feelings.
However, in the second half of the first set, he put in waiting players such as Han Sung-jung and Lee Si-mon, drawing a major reversal from 19-24 to 32-30. In response, acting coach Park Chul-woo explained the reason for the replacement, saying, "I believed that Han Sung-jung and Lee Si-mon would lead the team by stabilizing the receiving and defense because they had a lot of experience."
He said, "I only wanted to create an atmosphere, but I didn't expect to win. "I was able to win the set and take it to victory," he said. "Lee Seung-won focused on saving Araujo, and he did a great job."
Woori Card players were empowered by owner Jin Sung-won's extraordinary affection for volleyball. According to Woori Card officials, owner Jin Sung-won visited Jangchung Gymnasium in person on the afternoon of the 29th to take care of the team's practice. After watching the 20-minute practice process, he encouraged the team under acting coach Park Chul-woo.
Asked about the owner's visit, acting coach Park Chul-woo said, "He came to the stadium the day before (29th) and watched the training and confirmed the players' will. He said that the process of trying is also important. "He said he saw the future while looking at the players who showed their performance to the end," he said.
He said, "I also pay attention to the appointment of players in that area and try to inspire them more. I also have players who look hungry when I look back at the back (back-up zone) when the game is not going well. Today, Lee Si-mon, Lee Seung-won, and Han Sung-jung were preparing like that. If we continue to show good condition and good performance in the future, there will be opportunities," he stressed.
Owner Jin Sung-won took over as Woori Card's new CEO in December 2024, naturally taking over the volleyball team. Since January last year, shortly after taking office, he has been paying attention and support to the volleyball team by visiting the stadium in person to watch V-League games and encourage the team.
A representative example is the first overseas training camp in eight years since 2017. Woori Card held a seven-day, six-night training camp in Nagoya and Osaka, Japan from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1 last year.
Even though he finished the season in fourth place last season, his interest continued. In September last year, he invited the team directly to the owner's office at Woori Card headquarters to encourage him. Ahead of the home opening of the 2025-2026 season, he also visited the stadium on October 16 last year, the home opening on October 24, and the last home game of the third round, December 28, to cheer for the players.
Such sincerity is also reaching Woori Card's squad. After entering under the acting head coach Park Chul-woo, Woori Card finished the fourth round with 4 wins and 2 losses, saving hope for spring volleyball.
The owner's interest was also unfamiliar to Araujo, who began his professional career in 2009. Araujo said, "I've played abroad, but it's the first time a company representative is coming to training. I don't feel pressure just because the owner is coming. I think it's a good meaning because it means that there is a lot of affection and interest in the team. "I think it's okay to come often because good things happen every time you come," he said with a smile.
Meanwhile, with 2,257 spectators gathered on the day, special guests were also present for Woori Card's victory. Twenty-seven new employees of Woori Card also watched the group. At CM Hospital, which is in charge of the health of Woori Card players, 82 executives and family members, including the head of Sanghoon Lee, attended and cheered.
Woori Card also added meaning by designating it as "CM Hospital Day." At the promotional booth, Sanghoon Lee provided the audience with protein powder developed by himself, and gave prizes through quizzes and dance times. Director Sanghoon Lee revealed that he was a fan of Woori Card and went to the first pitch himself.
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*This content was translated by AI.
