"I slapped my own cheek." Even without a corporate team, 'AG surprise gold medal' miracle written by Techball's Lee Jun-seok "Glad it wasn't just a dream" [Nagoya on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I got up and slapped my cheek once. Fortunately, it wasn't a dream."

Lee Jun-seok (27), the gold medalist in Techball at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) Asian Games, said while touching his right cheek. This was during the press conference for the tournament's gold medalists held at Korea House in Nagoya, Japan on the 21st. Having claimed the men's singles title the day before, when asked about his feelings a day later, he smiled and said, "It was a result I had imagined countless times and longed to achieve, so it felt like a dream and I was happy. (I even slapped my cheek) and was glad it wasn't just a dream, and I am grateful."

Techball is a sport where players exchange the ball on a curved special table, similar to table tennis or volleyball. For the first time, this event has been adopted as an official discipline at the Asian Games through this tournament. It is also a relatively unfamiliar sport in Korea, having been introduced less than 10 years ago. Nevertheless, Lee Jun-seok stood atop the podium, defeating formidable opponents. In the men's singles final the day before, he roared after decisively defeating Iraq's Ali Jalil Mezher Alayawi with a 2-0 victory.

The gold medal achieved despite difficult circumstances carried even greater significance. As Techball is unfamiliar, there are currently no corporate teams in Korea for it. National team players, including Lee Jun-seok, had to give up their livelihoods. Lee Jun-seok himself continued his life working in production at a large corporation before quitting his job to focus entirely on tournament preparation. This is why the athletes' determination regarding medals was even stronger. They believed that only by standing on the podium could they attract attention, which would then lead to a virtuous cycle such as the establishment of corporate teams.

Lee Jun-seok said, "The preparation process was not smooth," adding, "There are still no corporate teams for Techball. All players have put aside their livelihoods and gone all in. After this Asian Games, figuring out what to do next has also been a realistic concern. We were told that if we win medals, something will happen. In fact, there is no plan after the Asian Games."

He continued, "Nevertheless, many people have helped us since difficult times. Many have supported us from behind the scenes. Thanks to them, I believe I was able to reach this stage. I am sincerely grateful," while expressing his wish that "now corporate teams and a solid foundation for high school and university divisions should be established."

Lee Jun-seok added, "During this tournament, I received messages from people I had lost contact with. Each message felt like energy building up one by one. There are international tournaments every month until this year. If good results come in, I hope corporate teams will be established next year. I am waiting."

Lee Yong-seop, the head coach of Techball who attended the press conference together, said, "Winning a gold medal at the first tournament where it was officially adopted is meaningful and proud. It seems we have laid a good foothold for the development of Techball."

He further added, "I also received contact from the Korean Olympic Committee saying they would make arrangements for us to stay in the athletes' village for about two weeks to train ahead of an international tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia. I want to tell the players that 'you can eat at the athletes' village.'"

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*This content was translated by AI.