Lee Jun-seok has become the inaugural champion in men's singles techball at the Asian Games. His journey, which included giving up a career in a major corporation to fully commit to techball, has drawn attention.
On September 20, at the Higashi Sports Center in Nagoya, Japan, Lee defeated Iraq's Ali Jalil Mezher Alalaywi in the final with a set score of 2-0 (12-11, 12-5). Notably, Lee did not lose a single set throughout the tournament, establishing himself as a flawless champion. Techball, created in Hungary, made its debut at this Asian Games. The sport, played on a 3-meter curved table with a soccer ball, is also known as 'foot table tennis.'
For Lee, who previously played soccer, techball has opened new opportunities. He played in the K4 League until he was 21 and transitioned from foot volleyball to techball. Despite the absence of a professional techball team, he continued his athletic career while working in a corporate production job. However, with techball being officially recognized as a sport at this Asian Games, he made the bold decision to leave his job.
The training process was challenging as techball is not affiliated with the Korean Sports Council, preventing him from training at the Jincheon National Training Center. He had to finance his overseas training out of pocket.
Earlier, Lee shared, "When I first started techball, my mother, despite our financial struggles, spent 2 million won to buy me a techball table. I prepared for this competition thinking of my mother and was determined to win a medal."
He also stated, "Winning a medal at this event could help promote techball and create a foundation for fellow athletes like me, who have given up their livelihoods to pursue this sport, to continue their careers without worry."
Lee's historic achievement in techball raises interest in expanding the sport's popularity in South Korea. For domestic sports fans familiar with soccer, foot volleyball, and table tennis, techball may present a fresh yet accessible option.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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