KIA's Kim Do-young: "At first, I really thought it was all over. Taiwan? The Woo Ri (CEO) team players are more excellent." Can we win the AG?

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Do-young (23, KIA Tigers), a key player for the Korean national baseball team, has now begun competing under the Taegeuk mark to pursue a fifth consecutive Asian Games title.

The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games baseball national team, led by head coach Ryu Ji-hyun, conducted official training at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome on the 15th. The previous day (14th), the official So Jip-doen (CEO) team spent about two hours at Gocheok Dome focusing on defensive and batting drills to check their physical condition.

Kim Do-young completed both defensive and batting training, showing he is in normal physical shape. However, he was wearing a protective guard over his recently broken nose.

After training, Kim Do-young spoke with reporters: "My current physical condition is really good and light. Since I've had plenty of rest for several days after the injury, there's no fatigue in my muscles at all." He added, "During training, I don't feel any pain from the injury. I'm focusing solely on training and games."

Regarding the protective guard on his nose, he said, "It slightly obstructs my vision a bit, but it's not something that will bother me significantly during games. I've now gotten used to it and find it comfortable." He continued, "For now, I think I'll have to wear it throughout the Asian Games tournament and play in games with it on."

On the 9th, while attempting a surprise bunt against Gwangju's NC Dinos, Kim Do-young was struck in the nose by his own foul ball. With a broken nasal bone, he underwent surgery for a fibula fracture. After being discharged on the 11th, he returned to play just three days later on the 13th against the Hanwha Eagles, recording three hits and three RBIs while achieving the youngest-ever 40 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 100 runs scored in KBO League history.

Reflecting on the injury, Kim Do-young said, "Normally, even a slight touch to the nose is very painful. When the ball hit me directly, my first thought was, 'This is really all over.' But as time passed, the pain subsided more than I expected. I decided I had to endure it and keep playing."

He also shared behind-the-scenes details with head coach Ryu Ji-hyun. On the day of Kim Do-young's injury, Coach Ryu was analyzing Hanwha pitcher Wang Yencheng, who had been selected for the Taiwan national team, in Daejeon. Upon hearing the news of Kim's injury, he immediately headed to a hospital in Gwangju.

Kim Do-young recalled, "After surgery, I was lying in my hospital room when Park Jae-hyun, who came to visit me, told me that Coach Ryu Ji-hyun had personally come to see me." He added, "I should have shown the coach the best possible condition, but due to the severe pain, I wondered if I really did. From that moment on, all I could think about was recovering quickly and contributing to the national team."

In this tournament, South Korea has been drawn into Group B along with Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Notably, the national team will face the tough opponent Taiwan in their first group stage match on the 21st. For Kim Do-young, who hit a game-tying two-run home run against Taiwan during the March World Baseball Classic (WBC) but still watched his team lose, this is also an opportunity for revenge.

Kim Do-young stated, "Competing in the WBC made me feel firsthand how much Taiwan's baseball level has improved. We cannot let our guard down." He continued, "However, I believe the Woo Ri (CEO) team players are more excellent. Whether it's Taiwan or Hong Kong, we will not be careless and will give our all in every game."

Finally, he said, "Unlike the WBC or Premier12, the Asian Games is a tournament where results must be achieved through performance, so there is indeed pressure. However, I believe South Korea has a high probability of winning. That probability didn't come out of nowhere. If we just trust in that and play, I think we can definitely succeed."

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*This content was translated by AI.