The secret of Han's "41 year old oldest MVP" is "painful failure, and synergy with teammates"... "Just push" towards a young setter [at the V-League Awards]

*This content was translated by AI.

Korean Air's "field commander" Han (41) has become the oldest regular league MVP (MVP) in the V-League. He cited "failure" and "colleague" as the secret to MVP.

Han won the men's regular league MVP at the "Jin Air 2025-2026 V-League Awards" held at Grand Walkerhill Seoul Vista Hall in Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on the 13th.

As a result of the media vote, he won 15 out of 34 votes, beating his teammate Jeong Ji-seok to win the award. As a result, Han lifted his second MVP trophy in three years since the 2022-2023 season, when he led the unified championship.

Due to the nature of the volleyball event, it is unusual for a setter to win the MVP title over a striker who is in the spotlight. There were outstanding strikers who performed splendidly, including Jung Ji-seok, Heo Soo-bong, and Leo, but Han's value was more than a record on the surface. As a "field commander" on the court, he was highly praised for his solid focus and supporting the team from shaking.

Having played only in Korean Air for 18 seasons since his debut in the 2007-2008 season, he played 33 games this season and did his part by recording 10.468 sets per set. Thanks to his leadership, which led the team with silent dedication and coordination rather than splendor, Korean Air achieved another feat of unified championship this season.

At a press conference after the awards ceremony, player Han said, "If Jung Ji-seok had played the season without injury, he would have won the MVP award," adding, "(Jung) Ji-seok was greedy to win the championship, but the actual award was not expected. It was a difficult season, but I'm happy that it ended with a win and an award," he said.

"It's more valuable now than when I won my first prize three years ago," said a player who won the MVP award, adding, "I'm busy managing my physical strength every game, but I'm responsible for not falling behind my juniors." "I feel joy in the process of leading the team by working with young players," he said.

He cited synergy with colleagues and "painful" experiences as the secret to enjoying his second heyday after his mid-30s. "Veteran colleagues who have worked together for a long time are the biggest driving force behind their continued performance," Han said. "The painful experience of losing all four games against the Champions after winning the regular league overwhelmingly in the past was the nourishment that helped me grow. "The championship gives the player a huge amount of experience regardless of victory or defeat," he explained.

He expressed his intention to focus only on the present for the remaining contract period and future plans until next year. "I haven't thought about long-term plans or the timing of retirement yet," he said. "At the current age, it is right to go all-in every year." We will pour everything into the upcoming next season, and we will decide after the end of the season," he said.

He also revealed the reason why he specifically mentioned junior setter Hwang Seung-bin on the stage of the awards ceremony. Player Han said, "Seungbin has been very greedy and motivated to play since his days at Korean Air, so I expected him to be a good main setter in other teams." He expressed his affection, saying, "This defeat at the championship will make him grow even more." At the same time, he said, "He is a thorough enemy who must compete fiercely on the court without personal feelings."

When asked about his intention to join the national team, including the Asian Championship, he said with force, "I have no change in my position that I will join the national team at any time if the national team needs me."

Finally, toward junior setters, he emphasized, "In addition to basic toss skills, the virtue most needed for a good setter is 'coldness' to control his play without being shaken by emotions." He then advised, "I hope young setters don't fear failure and have a stubbornness to push until the end without stopping what can't be done."

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*This content was translated by AI.