'New History with 203 Hits': Choi Won-jun Surpasses Both Seo Geon-chang and Reyes! KBO Single-Season Record for Most Hits [Suwon On-Site]

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KT Wiz's "bargain free agent" Choi Won-jun (29) has ultimately become the protagonist of a new chapter in KBO League history. He set a new single-season record for most hits, surpassing Victor Reyes (32, Lotte Giants).

In the home game against the Samsung Lions on the 7th at Suwon KT Wiz Park during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season, Choi Won-jun started as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter. He recorded his 203rd hit of the season in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The historic moment arrived in the bottom of the seventh inning with KT leading 3-0. Entering the batter's box with no outs and a runner on first base, Choi Won-jun faced Samsung right-hander Lee Seung-hyun (35). He selected three consecutive balls to create an overwhelmingly advantageous count of 3B-0S.

However, driven by his determination to break the record for most hits, Choi Won-jun fouled off three consecutive fastballs that Lee Seung-hyun threw in an attempt to get a strike. The at-bat was finally decided on the seventh pitch.

Lee Seung-hyun threw a changeup that dropped outside, and Choi Won-jun pushed it along the ground. The ball headed toward left field. Samsung left fielder Kim Heon-gon (38) ran in to catch it, but the ball hit the ground just before touching his glove.

It was the moment of Choi Won-jun's 203rd hit this season, and also when a new KBO League single-season record for most hits was written.

The previous record was 202 hits, set by Reyes in 2024. In 2014, Seo Geon-chang (37, then with the Nexen Heroes) opened the era of 200-hit seasons by recording 201 hits. Reyes surpassed that mark with 202 two years ago, and now Choi Won-jun has broken through that barrier as well.

Just one day earlier, Choi Won-jun had 201 hits. In the game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok on the 6th, he hit his 200th and 201st hits of the season consecutively, tying Seo Geon-chang's record.

And on this day, he took two more steps in an instant. After grounding out to second base in his first at-bat, Choi Won-jun reached base via a walk in the third inning. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, he lifted Samsung starter Won Tae-in's (26) first-pitch curveball into a double down the left-center gap. It was his 202nd hit of the season, tying Reyes' KBO League single-season record for most hits.

But that joy was short-lived, as Choi Won-jun added another hit in his next at-bat to create his own number: '203'. At the same time, Reyes, who was playing in the Busan KIA Tigers game, grounded out to left field in the bottom of the sixth inning, ceding the moment of setting a new record to Choi Won-jun.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original