Honest Kim Hye-sung, "Ohtani, you're so cool, but you have to strike out today → I'll catch all the pitches!"

*This content was translated by AI.

In the second round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) group qualifying round, South Korean national team infielder Kim Hye-sung (27) expressed his calm and honest determination ahead of the Korea-Japan match of fate. Teammate Shohei Ohtani (32, LA Dodgers) said he was a very outstanding player, but he said he hoped he would strike out at least for a showdown.

When asked by Japanese reporters whether she saw Ohtani's home run and hard hit the previous day (6th) at an official press conference ahead of the second Group C match of 2026 WBC at Tokyo Dome, Japan, at 7 p.m. on the 7th, Kim Hye-sung said, "I saw it well. It was so cool. "From the standpoint of the crowd that we don't play, we've always been cool and outstanding players," he said.

Kim Hye-sung said, "When I was on the same team, I always wanted to cheer and play well. However, I will catch everything if I hit a ball to the defense today. "I'm going to play with the hope that I can strike out again," he added.

Kim Hye-sung maintained her composure despite the pressure of the Korea-Japan war. When asked about his determination to play in the game, he said, "I feel the same way every game. I always want to win and go out with the desire to do well," he said. Regarding Japan's powerful power, he also showed an unwavering attitude, saying, "It is true that the opponent is great and outstanding, but he is only one of the opposing team's players in the stadium."

He answered with his unique wit about missing the match against Japan during the 2023 WBC, when he played for the Kiwoom Heroes three years ago. Kim Hye-sung said with a smile, "I think the only thing that has changed since then is age," but expressed his veteran maturity, saying, "I try to play with the same spirit and with no regrets." On this day, Kim Hye-sung will play as the ninth batter and second baseman.

Finally, Kim Hye-sung said, "It's a sport that you don't know until the end of baseball." It is an unexpected event in which the lowest team can take the first place, he said, stressing the team's solidarity, saying, "I believe I can win if I work hard with the determination to win until the end."

Kim Hye-sung, who has strengthened her will to win by watching past WBC highlight videos until recently, finally began preparing for the game by saying, "I want to advance to Miami with good performance after the wonderful seniors."

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*This content was translated by AI.