"I wanted to show that I can come back to the court after marriage and childbirth, and play even when I'm old. I'm relieved that I've accomplished all this, and I'm retiring."
This is the impression that Jung Dae-young 43, GS Caltex, the oldest female professional volleyball player who decided to retire earlier this month, left the court for 32 years.
From the left when he was GS Caltex, Jung Dae-young, Lee Sook-ja, Bae Yuna, and Nam Ji-yeon.
Jung Dae-young is a living witness of the V-League. He joined Hyundai Engineering & Construction in 1999 before his professional debut. Since the launch of the V-League in 2005, he has won the first scoring, blocking, and defense titles, and even swept the MVP of the regular league. He has received almost all of the awards including MVP in the championship game, MVP in the All Star game, MVP in the round, best 7, and fair play awards. He ranks second in blocking 1,228 overall in the V-League, and fourth in scoring 5653 overall.
"I have never shed a single tear since I decided to retire. I have no regrets. I think I did it until I really wanted to play volleyball, which I liked," he said. "The most memorable moment was the reverse sweep of the Korea Expressway Corporation, which won the 2022-23 season with difficulty."
Jung Dae-young personally showed that age is just a number. He jumped and jumped over 40 years old, showing off his Spidership skills. Among the last seven seasons, he has been included in the top five blocking lists five times two times in second place and one time each in third, fourth and fifth places. Even after 40, Jung ranked No. 1 in blocking It competed. For three years from the 2020-21 season, it ranked second-fourth-third.
What kept her from getting tired was her mother's power. Her only daughter, Kim Bo-min, also officially started volleyball while playing club volleyball. Currently, she is an 8th grader at Jecheon Girls' Middle School and her position is an outside heater. "My husband, a former volleyball player, fully supports Bo-min's dream," Jung said. "My daughter boasts that her mom is a volleyball player, but I didn't want to make her say 'Your mom can't do it', so I was more critical."
Her daughter, who always respected the choice of "athlete Jung Dae-young," wanted "mother Jung Dae-young" more when she entered puberty. "Not too long ago, Bo Min said, 'I wish my mom was at home.' I came home after working out hard, but unlike other friends, I feel like I'm having a hard time because my mom is not here." Jung decided to let go of the ball without regret. "After deciding to retire, I often visit Bo Min's school and punch him on the cheek to help him train," Jung said.
"I hope you don't forget about Jung Dae-young. I received so many awards and love. I hope it will remain in the fans' memory for a long time," he said. "I want to remain a consistent player rather than a good player."
In addition to being called the "supreme age" in the V-League, Chung also left a milestone. He took paternity leave 2009-10 seasons for the first time in the V-League, and returned to the court after giving birth. "I wanted to show that I can come back after marriage or childbirth, and play even when I am old, but I have achieved all of them," he said. He also left heartfelt advice to younger players. "Players these days quit when they feel a little tired or sick. It's too bad. I hope younger players will see me and play for a long time."