"Volleyball legend" Jang Yoon Chang's dream life, Act 3

Jang Yoon-chang, a professor at Kyunggi University, poses for a shoot before an interview with World Biz & Sports World.

Many fans are curious about the news of legendary sports stars who have made a mark in the Korean sports world. Having enjoyed their prime time in the spectacular spotlight, they are living a second life after retirement and are leaving a new trail. In response, World Biz & Sports World met legends who were active in active duty and heard about their recent status.

"Dolphin Spiker" Jang Yoon-chang (64), is a living legend who stirred the Korean men's volleyball court in the 1980s. Embroidered unusual abilities since his school days, Jang has led the revival of men's volleyball by setting a milestone with the national flag from the young age of 18. His colleagues who spent the glory days together still serve as leaders on the court, but Jang is a little different. He is a professor of physical education at his alma mater, Kyunggi University, and is devoted to nurturing his younger students.

Keep the romance

"Dolphin serve" is a modifier that symbolizes Jang Yoon-chang. He was the first player in Korea to try a spike serve, which is now a natural concept. The way he jumps up for a strong serve reminded him of a dolphin, so he got this nickname. It was no exaggeration to say that the syndrome he caused caused caused a men's volleyball boom.

As a pioneer of trends, he also enjoyed numerous moments of honor, including two Asian Games gold medals, two silver medals, and a advance to the semifinals of the World Championships. However, the most dazzling moment that he picked was elsewhere. Chang mentioned the "Asian qualifying round for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the match between Korea and Japan." This was because it was the first game in Korean volleyball history to beat Japan.

"I remember it as December 1979. Back then, Japan was on a world-class level, winning the gold medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics. What's more, Korea was considered a step down. It was the U.S. that brought volleyball to Korea, but it was actually developed by Japan. That's why we didn't even think we would lose," he recalled.

"He turned the game around 3-2 after losing 0-2. It was thrilling and thrilling. I was so happy to break down the insurmountable barrier," he said. "From then on, I had no fear or fear. I had 12 consecutive wins against my opponent before the Los Angeles Olympics."

Jang Yoon-chang, a professor at Kyunggi University, is interviewing Sports World.

standing on an unknown path

While playing for Korea Securities, a pro soccer team, he left the court in 1994. When he had to prepare for his second life, he chose "study" rather than a leader that ordinary legends choose. He said, "At the end of 1994, I went to the U.S. to study. As I played for the national team since I was a second grader in high school, I didn't have time to study. I always had a thirst." As he was about to retire, his alma mater, Kyunggi University, suggested his way to become a professor. He went to the U.S. far to pursue a career worthy of that.

Another reason was to let go of lingering affection for the coach. "All of my classmates were already retired by 1988. However, I played for the team as a playing coach for about seven more years. Then, I had the experience to coach players. Having experienced that, I could make the judgment that I would study better on my own path," he said.

He was able to explore systematic logic and theories related to physical education such as sports management, sports marketing, physical education, and business administration toward unknown lands. He knew better than anyone else that he could not speak a proper English language, so he devoted more of his passion to it. He said, "It was really difficult. I had never had a nosebleed during my career, but I spilled it countless times in the U.S. I think I read a book without sleeping." After hard work, I was able to officially become a professor of physical education at Kyunggi University in 2003.

"Compared to my days as a brilliant player, my early income as a professor was far short. I felt sorry for my family, but the moment I started studying, I had a sense of duty that I couldn't let go," he said. "It was a moment that needed to change throughout Korean physical education. Above all, I wanted to help players exercise in a better environment. This is why I tried to make policy changes not only in teaching students but also in the sports world as a whole."

Jang Yoon-chang, a professor at Kyunggi University, is interviewing Sports World.

To the beautiful ending

More than 20 years have passed since he has worked hard to cultivate his younger students, but his passion as a "professor" Jang Yoon-chang remains.

"We still have a long way to go. We still have the conviction that athletes should not be nurtured solely with exercise machines. Machines are bound to rust. If we only nurture athletes like that, the future of the Korean sports community as a whole will be dark," he stressed.

"We see only a small number of athletes as professionals. The rest of the athletes who are eliminated from the competition tend to lose their lives by simply watching sports. There should be guiding mechanisms and safety measures to guide them in their direction," he said. "Who would want to exercise with a low chance of success at a time when the fertility rate is declining? This is the time when we need to think about sports that permeates our lives like the U.S. and Japan and improve our leaders' awareness of sports."

With his unwavering affection for the Korean sports community, he dreams of a beautiful and humble ending as a professor. "My retirement age as a professor will be around February 2026. Only about a year and a half is left. After that, it will be my third life," he said. "I want to do everything I can to the extent that I can. 사설 토토사이트 I want to remain a professor who keeps my position until the end, where my students can freely enter and exit the lab."