"I've had a lot of winning experience too, but this time I felt really tremendous reaction, enthusiasm and support."토토사이트

Choi Hyung-woo, the oldest player in the KIA Tigers, played a key role in helping his team achieve V12 last year. He hit hard with a batting average of 0.280 (119 hits in 425 times at bat) and 22 homers, 109 RBIs and an OPS of 0.860, in 116 games during the 2024 season, when he turned 41. 

KIA boasted a tremendous destructive power as Choi Hyung-woo played the role of a troubleshooter. Along with the existing main hitters such as Na Sung-bum, Socrates Brito, and Kim Do-young, the synergy effect was great.

Choi also shone in the Korean Series when he faced off the Samsung Lions, a friendly team. He had five hits in 15 at-bats for four games, a batting average of 0.333, and a home run, four RBIs and an OPS of 1.012, displaying the joy of winning the title. 

To Choi, winning a championship is a "familiar" experience. When he was a Samsung Lions player, he won the title for four consecutive years in the 2011-2014 season, and kissed the Korean Series trophy six times through the 2017 and 2024 seasons while wearing the KIA uniform.

"There is no precious moment when we win the championship." However, Choi said, "The most memorable moment was KIA's 12th victory in the Korean Series last year and his 6th victory in the Korean Series. I felt the love and enthusiasm of Kia and Gwangju.

"I want to feel the sense of winning last year's championship again this year," Choi said after finishing his spring camp training at the Great Park Ballpark in Irvine, California on Wednesday (local time). "I love winning, but I also remember holding events with fans at the car parade and large concert halls in downtown Gwangju. It was an amazing experience."

Kia held the "Tigers V12 Fan Festa" at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju on Nov. 28 last year. It invited 5,000 Kia fans to enjoy the joy of winning the Korean Series. Young players including Kim Do-young performed a surprise performance for the fans, which was applauded.

Choi Hyung-woo explained the great love KIA is receiving, mentioning the enthusiasm of last year's fanfesta and his daily life in Gwangju. Although he played many seasons and experienced many wins, the end of 2024 was also meaningful to Choi Hyung-woo in many ways. 

"I thought we were going to a parliamentary campaign at the fan festival after winning the championship," Choi said with a smile. "No matter which team won the championship, I don't think we would have had that atmosphere, and I don't think we would have been able to attract many fans. It felt like we really became idols."

When Choi won the 2017 season title, he went on his honeymoon and was not able to participate in all of the year-end club events. Having experienced the V12 event almost without exception last year, he came to realize once again Gwangju's keen love for KIA.  

Choi said, "As much as our juniors enjoy great love and popularity, we want them to act accordingly. We need to do our best at the ballpark and show exemplary behavior outside the stadium."

Choi Hyung-woo said, "To exaggerate a little, I know all KIA players from young children to grandfather," adding, "Even for me, almost everyone I encounter on the street recognizes and likes me when I leave my son's house. KIA's popularity in Gwangju is beyond imagination."

"KIA players can be loved more than celebrities if they are good at baseball. I hope they will always be careful when they are in society and play baseball as hard as they can."