Choi Byung-chan, who achieved 100 games in the K League, gave his thoughts.
Gimcheon Sangmu won 2-0 in the home game against Hana One Q K League 2 2023 37R Gimpo FC held at Gimcheon Sports Complex on the 29th. On this day, Choi Byung-chan started as a starter and reached 100 games in his personal K-League career.
After the game, Choi Byung-chan said, “Before the start of this season, he thought he would definitely achieve 100 K-League games. Due to an injury at the beginning of the season, I wondered if it would be possible this year, but I am really happy that I was able to achieve it. “He will become a player who works harder in the future,” he said.온라인카지노
Choi Byung-chan, who was a student at Hongik University, made his professional debut in 2017 through an open test hosted by Seongnam FC. This is a somewhat unusual case rather than the more common methods such as manager scouting and rookie contracts. At the time, the competition rate for the public test was a whopping 255 to 1, and he was also called the miracle man.
Although he entered the professional ranks in a somewhat unique way, Choi Byung-chan has been on a roll since he joined the team. In 2018, the first year of his debut, he appeared in 19 games for Seongnam and recorded 5G and 2AS. The offensive points record he set in his first year as a professional remains a career high even now in his sixth year. Choi Byung-chan, who was recognized for his abilities, was also nominated for the year-end K League awards ceremony. Afterwards, in 2019, his second year in the league, he played 24 games and continued to play a leading role.
Byungchan Choi said, “As a rookie player in 2018, I worked hard like crazy. He was truly honored to be able to play in the game. So he worked harder. From his second year onwards, he did his best to blend into the K League with a mature appearance. “Also, since Seongnam was promoted to K-League 1 in 2019, I think I have developed further as a player,” he explained.
Choi Byung-chan is famous not only for his playing skills but also for his ‘professionalism’. He values all his fans under the belief that ‘a professional athlete is meaningless without fans.’ In particular, the anecdote related to the Fans’ Day event held in Gimcheon early this year cannot be left out.
Choi Byung-chan said, “Early this year, the club invited fans to the training camp and held an open training day. He was really grateful to the fans who came despite the weather being very cold. After the event, he posted his gratitude on his personal blog, but had no idea that it would become a hot topic. “Thank you for looking at me favorably,” he said with a smile.
He continued, “Fans are indispensable to professionals. The very existence of fans is the standard that differentiates professionals from amateurs. I am truly grateful for the love my fans always give me. “I will do my best to repay the love you give me,” he added.
Even Choi Byung-chan, who was on an upward trajectory, also came to a dark time. In July 2020, when playing opportunities were dwindling, Choi Byung-chan chose to go on loan to K League 2 Bucheon. Half a year later, in 2021, he completely transferred to Bucheon. Later, in June 2022, he enlisted in Gimcheon and is completing his military service.
In Gimcheon, he played 17 games over two seasons. The 2022 and 2023 seasons were also the years in which he played the fewest games (10 games) since his K League debut. In the early part of this season, he was sidelined due to injury. In the middle of this year, when he had the opportunity to play, he was disappointed by the unfortunate events of retirement and injury. In his first appearance this season, against Gimpo on July 15th, he received a post-expulsion disciplinary action, and against Anyang on the 31st, he suffered a tear in the upper part of his eye.
Choi Byung-chan said, “There were times when I couldn’t play many games even after returning. It was a difficult time for him physically and mentally, but he worked hard with the thought that if he worked hard, an opportunity would come someday. He tried to think as positively as possible even in difficult situations. He also said, “He always went to training with the idea of showing as much of what he had as possible.”
Choi Byung-chan’s mind control worked in the end. On August 26, when he overcame his injury and played against Asan in South Chungcheong Province, he made a brilliant comeback by scoring a mid-range shooting goal. It was the first goal scored in 1,044 days since Bucheon on October 17, 2020.
Choi Byung-chan, who was on the rise, scored a hat trick in an away game in Ansan on October 22, two months later. It is the first hat trick in the individual’s K-League career and the second hat trick for the Gimcheon Sangmu club. Choi Byung-chan said, “I scored the hat trick not because I was good at it, but because my teammates had a lot of help. If I had to point out my merit, it would be that I am a hard worker. I train as if it were a real game and put a lot of effort into doing well. “I think that aspect was demonstrated on the pitch,” he said.
Choi Byung-chan, who is active in every game, is a late-career sergeant with less than 50 days left to discharge. Just as late-blooming flowers are beautiful, Sergeant Choi Byung-chan in his later years is also spending his remaining military life in the most splendid way. Choi Byeong-chan said, “There isn’t much difference since I became a sergeant. He is living the same life in the unit. He is grateful that he can always exercise in a good environment. “Currently, the club is competing for first and second place, so I will do my best until the end to help the team get promoted to K League 1,” he said.
The ceremony commemorating Choi Byung-chan’s 100th game is scheduled to be held against Seoul E-Land FC on November 26.