The living legend of Korean women's table tennis, Seo Hyo-won (38, Korea Racing Authority), announced her retirement from active competition after the final match of the professional table tennis league on the 8th.
Seo Hyo-won had already retired from the national team after the World Championships held in Doha, Qatar, in May. However, the match held at the Incheon International Airport Sky Dome was her 'real' final stage, concluding her 30-year table tennis career.
Born in 1987 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Seo Hyo-won began playing table tennis in the second grade of elementary school and joined the Korea Racing Authority table tennis team in 2008, gaining national love and support.
Seo Hyo-won's 'offensive defense' play, demonstrating the essence of defensive strategies, left a strong impression on fans both domestically and internationally. She earned the nickname 'Ggakshin (the God of Defense)' through her legendary matches against the world's strongest Chinese players and showed her prowess by defeating Chen Xingtong, who was called the swing textbook and had ranked second in the world in 2024.
Despite struggling every day on her way to the top, two challenges posed significant threats to her athletic career. In high school, she faced a crisis in her athletic life due to a spinal disc diagnosis, and in 2008, her affiliated corporate team was disbanded, leaving her in a state of uncertainty.
At that time, it was the head coach Hyun Jung-hwa, who recognized the potential of a 21-year-old defender who was still outside the top 100 in the world rankings.
"If it were not for Coach Hyun Jung-hwa, my athletic career would have ended long ago. She is the benefactor who gave me the courage to play again," Seo Hyo-won noted, adding, "Because Coach Hyun was there on the court and my parents, who always smiled at me off the court, I was able to endure difficult moments and come this far."
After first donning the national team uniform at the age of 26, she participated in the Rio Olympics, recorded a world ranking of eighth, and earned a bronze medal at the Asian Games, setting countless records. As the eldest sister, Seo played a significant role as the team's mental support and demonstrated a quietly strong leadership.
The Korea Racing Authority table tennis team, where Seo Hyo-won has devoted herself for 17 years, has played a central role in domestic corporate table tennis since it was officially founded in 1996 after acquiring the Korean Cosmetics women's table tennis team. From the early days of its foundation, the team has been led by the legendary Korean table tennis player and coach Hyun Jung-hwa, working to create a 'player-centered and dedicated team culture' and expand 'the base of women's sports' while producing numerous national representatives, including Seo, Kim Bok-rae, Park Young-sook, and Choi Hyo-joo. Moreover, the team has shown commitment to communication with the public through talent donations, such as supporting disabled table tennis and local youth table tennis.
Seo Hyo-won's retirement, which was also a symbol conforming to the team's philosophy and progress, has become a turning point and a source of pride in the history of the Korea Racing Authority table tennis team.
Preparing for a path as a coach after retirement, Seo Hyo-won stated, "Now it's my turn to give back the love I received," suggesting a second life as a coach.
Coach Hyun Jung-hwa expressed, "The driving force that made Hyo-won the longest-serving and the best player is the power of positivity that doesn’t give up," adding, "Her passion and dedication will also be the greatest asset in nurturing younger generations," expressing her expectations.
Finally, Seo Hyo-won reflected, "Thanks to my teammates, coaches, the Korea Racing Authority, which has been a strong support, and the fans, I have been able to come this far," and stated, "I encourage myself for enduring for such a long time and I will continue to move forward with table tennis and live a deep life."
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