<YU Ssireum Team that swept 3 divisions at the ‘57th Presidential National Ssireum Championship’> (Source: Korea Ssireum Association)
(From top left to right: Coach Lee Yong-ho, Park Chan-ju, Lee Hyeon-seo, Jung Tae-hwan, Head Coach Heo Yong, Jung Jong-jin)
The YU Ssireum Team (Head Coach Heo Yong) once again proved that they are the top collegiate team by winning four medals, including three gold medals, at the ‘57th Presidential National Ssireum Championship’ held at the Andong Gym in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
At this tournament, the YU Ssireum team took first place by winning three out of seven weight divisions.
YU kicked off their role by Lee Hyeon-seo (19, Department of Special Physical Education, freshman) winning the gold medal in the Cheongjang class and then Jung Jong-jin (20, Department of Special Physical Education, sophomore) won the gold in the Yongjang class, and Park Chan-ju (Department of Special Physical Education, senior) also won the gold in the Jangsa class. Also, Jung Tae-hwan (20, Department of Special Phsyical Education, sophomore) took third place in the Cheongjang class.
In particular, Park Chan-ju, who took first place in the Jangs class, was ranked first place in the Jangsa division for four straight years as the unrivaled collegiate champion and dominated all other opponents. Four teams around the nation completed to scout Park Chan-ju as he will be graduating next year. Park Chan-ju chose to join Taean-gun Office Ssireum Team (Head Coach Kwak Hyun-dong). Taean-gun Office Ssireum Team Head Coach Kwak Hyun-dong (YU Department of Phsyical Education class of ‘83) and Coach Lee Han-shin (YU Department of Sports Science ‘99) also graduated from YU and it is expected that with Park Chan-ju joining the team, talents from the YU Ssireum Team will continue to perform in semi-professional teams.
Park Chan-ju said, “My skills improved a lot since training with the Taean-gun Office Ssireum Team over the past four years. There were some teams that offered better signing bonuses and salaries, but I chose the team that would help me grow as a ssireum athlete as I graduate from college and take my first step out into society. I will do my best for the remainder of the season to make sure that we win the group match before graduating to finish my college career on a high note.”
